Residents across Derbyshire are being urged to join millions of people around the globe and flick the switch for Earth Hour.

The council is backing the World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) campaign to get people to switch their lights off for an hour and show how much they care about the effects of climate change.

The event, which will be held from 8.30pm on 31 March, aims to send a clear message to world leaders.

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Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing people and nature, and requires urgent global action. Unless we prevent average temperatures rising 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels, there is a high risk of severe and irreversible changes in the planet's natural systems.

Councillor John Allsop, Derbyshire County Council's cabinet member for technology and recycling, said: "Climate change affects us all and we all need to act now to help minimise the effects in the future.

"By switching off their lights for an hour, people in Derbyshire can show their support and send out a clear message that people care about climate change and urgent action is needed."

(CD/GK)