25 March 2022

Press Release

For immediate release

Ellie Goulding announced as new WWF Ambassador as charity marks UK’s 15th annual Earth Hour event

Ellie joins WWF on anniversary of its global Earth Hour event as she encourages the public to reduce carbon impact with WWF’s My Footprint App
New data reveals 55% of Brits are hopeful if we take action now we can stop the worst climate change impacts, but 26% are unsure what they can do

EARTH HOUR 2022 - SATURDAY 26TH MARCH - 20:30-21:30 GMT

International musician and environmental campaigner Ellie Goulding has been announced as WWF-UK's latest high profile Ambassador as the conservation charity marks its 15th annual Earth Hour event.

Ellie is using her appointment to encourage members of the public to join millions of others across the globe marking the symbolic event at 20:30-21:30 GMT Saturday 26th March 2022. Earth Hour 2022 is taking place during a challenging time for our world and this year WWF is asking people to switch off their lights as a symbolic act for the planet and try a climate challenge on WWF’s My Footprint app.

Ellie’s appointment as a WWF-UK Ambassador builds on a long-term relationship, that has included a visit to Greenland’s Jakobshavn glacier with climatologists, where she saw the rapid rate of ice loss first-hand.

Ellie Goulding, said: “I’m delighted to join WWF as an ambassador because I'm passionate about speaking up for our extraordinary planet. I know that the climate crisis and the destruction of nature can feel overwhelming at times, but I promise you when millions of people stand together, and demand change the dial begins to shift. One thing we know is that every second counts, and every second we need to agitate for change. I want to be part of that."

New data released today from WWF to mark Earth Hour reveals a strong appetite for action on the climate crisis – as well as optimism for the future. A survey for the charity found that 65% of UK adults don’t think the world is making progress fast enough in tackling the climate crisis and destruction of nature. However, over half of UK adults (55%) are hopeful that if we take action together right now, we can stop the worst climate change impacts.

WWF’s survey also found that three quarters of UK adults (75%) have taken action to help the environment over the last year and 58% want to reduce their environmental impact in the future, however 26% say that one of the biggest challenges for them is not being sure what action to take.

Tanya Steele, CEO at WWF-UK, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ellie as an Ambassador at such a crucial time. She is an incredible advocate, and will help us drive forward our work and raise awareness of the need for climate action. Earth Hour reminds us that when millions of people come together, small actions can make a big difference. When we make changes in our own lives to reduce our impact on the planet, we inspire those around us to do the same and, together, we are a powerful global movement that governments and businesses can’t ignore”.

“This year, we recognise more than ever that Earth Hour is taking place during a challenging time. I hope it gives us a chance to take a moment in solidarity, coming together to look after each other and our one shared home. We all depend on nature - and nature needs us to stand up for it every day. By 2030, our natural world could be recovering all around us. Our leaders have promised to put nature at the heart of climate action, to secure a safer future for all of us. Now we must make sure they deliver on that promise”.

WWF is encouraging people to measure their environmental footprint with the online Footprint Calculator and by taking on challenges via the My Footprint app. For those who are keen to step up for the planet but unsure what action to take, the app provides a host of simple but effective actions to help make a difference on a daily basis.

How to get involved with Earth Hour:

Switch your lights off on Saturday 26th March at 20:30
Download the My Footprint app (on IOS and Android) and set a challenge for you or your family
Spread the word: the more people taking action = nature and wildlife recovering faster

ENDS

The My Footprint app is available from IOS and Android stores for free. Search ‘WWF My Footprint’.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Data was drawn from a survey conducted by Opinium Research in March 2022 with 2000 UK adults. Results were weighted to be nationally representative. Please get in touch for further details.

About Earth Hour:

Earth Hour is one of the world’s largest movements for the planet. It gives us a chance to take a moment in solidarity, coming together to look after each other and our one shared home.

Now in its 15th year in the UK, the annual event is organised by WWF and partners across the world and led by the Earth Hour community. It reminds us that even small actions can make a big difference for nature and the planet. When we make changes in our own lives to reduce our footprint, we inspire those around us to do the same. Together, we are a powerful global movement that governments and businesses can’t ignore.

Be part of the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #EarthHourUK and our handle @wwf_uk.

About Ellie Goulding:

Outside of music, Ellie is a long-standing activist and philanthropist. She is known for using her extensive platform to help large audiences engage with global issues, including diversity, equality and the climate and nature crisis. In 2017 Ellie’s environmental campaigning was acknowledged by the United Nations when she was appointed as a as a Global Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). She is also the recipient of a UN New Voices Award from the UN Foundation. In her work as a UN Environment Ambassador Ellie has continued to keep the spotlight on the climate and nature emergency. In 2021 she addressed the COP26 summit, closing the Nature Plenary with a keynote speech. She was also spoke at the New York Times hub alongside environmentalist, David de Rothschild and the UN’s Letitia Reis de Carvalho on ocean protection. In 2019 Ellie made it her mission to promote climate risk and tipping points at the World Economic Forum at Davos. She joined Greta Thunberg and Christiana Figueres to promote the work of Dr Gail Whiteman and the pioneering Arctic Basecamp Project. Ellie continues to promote Arctic science and visited the Arctic Basecamp at COP26. In her own life and industry Ellie acts on climate wherever she can. She is passionate about reducing her own industry’s carbon and resource footprint and has worked to remove single use plastic from physical album releases and merchandise and ran her last UK tour on renewable energy.

About WWF:

WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature) is one of the world’s largest independent conservation organisations, active in nearly 100 countries.

Our supporters – more than five million of them – are helping us to restore nature and to tackle the main causes of nature’s decline, particularly the food system and climate change. We’re working to ensure a world with thriving habitats and species, and to change hearts and minds so it becomes unacceptable to overuse our planet’s resources.

WWF. For your world.

For wildlife, for people, for nature.

Find out more about our work, past and present at wwf.org.uk