As Earth Day Approaches, WWF Offers Simple Ways to Make a Difference.

WASHINGTON -- With Earth Day (April 22) less than a month away, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is offering some simple actions you can do to show you care about the future of the planet.

This Saturday, March 29, at 8 p.m. local time, you can join millions of people around the world in Earth Hour by turning off your lights for one hour in a symbolic action to draw attention to climate change. A global event which will start in Christchurch, New Zealand, span more than 30 cities and finish in San Francisco, California, this global "power down" - the largest voluntary action of its kind in history - will send a powerful message about the need to find a solution to the greatest threat our planet has ever faced. More details on Earth Hour can be found at www.earthhour.org.

From now until April 22, you can log onto www.worldwildife.org/earthday and show your commitment to the Earth by entering a blog on the individual actions you will take to help save the planet. You can also pledge to raise $50 or more by collecting coins and donating them at any one of 12,000 Coinstar machines across the U.S. As a thank you for donations of $50 or more, WWF will send you a free limited edition WWF Earth Day t-shirt made of 100% organic cotton. The first 5,000 people who pledge to collect and donate at least $50 in coins will also receive a free Earth Day fundraising kit with a collapsible mini recycling bin.

"For over 45 years, WWF has been committed to finding solutions that will protect the environment," says Terry Macko, vice-president of membership at World Wildlife Fund. "With Earth Hour on March 29, people around the world will have the opportunity to send a simple yet unmistakable message that they are concerned about climate change. And from now until April 22, everyone will have a chance to make an Earth Day pledge - by sharing with others what they are doing to make a difference this Earth Day. Imagine the impact we would have if each person simply took one action."

About World Wildlife Fund

For more than 45 years, WWF has been protecting the future of nature. The largest multinational conservation organization in the world, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by 1.2 million members in the United States and close to 5 million globally. WWF's unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level, from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature. Go to worldwildlife.org to learn more.