Can you help save the world?

In the run up to Earth Hour on 19th March, WWF and People’s Postcode Lottery are asking the people from Plymouth to share their ingenious sustainable ideas for making your neighbourhood, workplace or school more environmentally friendly.

Jennifer Clements, spokesperson for WWF-UK said: “Every year Earth Hour helps to put the spotlight on the pressures facing the planet to remind us that, together, we have the power to make change happen.

“This year we want to kick start these changes by challenging the nation to think big. We want to hear what ideas people from Plymouth have which could help protect our planet.”

The competition is part of Earth Hour, which takes place at 8.30pm on Saturday 19th March and encourages everyone to switch off their lights for one hour.  The global event has the potential to be a huge catalyst for change, with 84% of those who took part in Earth Hour 2015 feeling inspired to do more to help protect the planet.

The choices we make and actions we take past that hour can help reduce the impacts of climate change on our planet, its wildlife and future generations.

We have the knowledge and the technology to reduce our impact on the climate and ease the pressures on the world's most vulnerable animals and people. We just need to make it happen.

WWF’s Eco Challenge invites people to think outside the box and design an innovative solution to reduce the pressures put on our planet. From a revolutionary scheme to reduce waste at work to a concept that will help source food sustainably in your local community; the possibilities are endless.

A number of schools from Plymouth, including Stoke Damerel Primary School, Lipson The Co-operative Academy and King's School, have signed up to take part. The River Cottage Canteen Plymouth will also be holding a candlelit dinner to support the event.

Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “From recycling our waste to switching off the lights, we can all make small lifestyle changes that have a positive impact on our planet.

“But what if we all took a moment to think bigger - could your idea change the world? We’re proud that our players are once again supporting this year’s Earth Hour and we can’t wait to hear your innovative ideas that will help protect the future of the planet.”

To enter WWF’s Eco Challenge, simply submit your pioneering idea or creation to help make one of the three categories below more environmentally friendly:

• Your Neighbourhood
• Your School/ University
• Your Workplace

Entries close at midnight on Monday 29th February and the best entry in each category will win £500 to put towards their eco-idea, as well as an invitation to an exclusive Earth Hour event.

Find out more and sign up at wwf.org.uk/earthhour or join the conversation on twitter with #EarthHourUK and @wwf_uk and do it for your planet.