SEVENTY toddlers at a Blackbird Leys nursery played with the lights out today as staff encouraged them to think about climate change.

Jane Long, manager of the Blackbird Leys Nursery in Cuddesdon Way, said the children, aged two to five, were happy to save energy as part of the World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour initiative.

The scheme asks households, businesses and organisations around the globe to turn off non-essential lights and appliances for one hour, to raise awareness of climate change.

Ms Long said: “We read the children a story about polar bears to remind them that the bears might not have anywhere to live if the planet continues to heat up because of global warming.

“We already do lots of re-cycling, have solar panels for hot water and collect rain water to flush the toilets. We are also considering a scheme in which used nappies can be recycled and used as roof tiles.

“The children are starting to learn lessons at an early stage in their lives about saving the planet and we hope they will pass the message on to their parents.”

Last year Oxford City Council took part in the Earth Hour event and saved 1,196kWh of energy.

There was a six per cent reduction in energy use at the largest sites and a three per cent reduction across the council’s offices overall.

To support Earth Hour, this weekend the council is switching off all non-essential lights and equipment.

The council’s environmental sustainability manager, Jenny Davidson, said: “I would encourage everyone to get involved in Earth Hour by turning off your lights and other electricity appliances.

“Earth Hour is about individuals recognising the contribution we can all make, however small, to reducing our impact on the environment.”

Green city councillor Craig Simmons said Earth Hour came at an “embarrassing time” for the Labour-run city council. He added: “It follows an annual budget just a few weeks ago where it cut environmental spending, and voted down new Green climate change initiatives.

“Unless urgent action is taken, the council will not meet its 10:10 commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 10 per cent this year.”

Chris Goodall, of Navigation Way, North Oxford, who has witten a book on how to reduce carbon emissions, said: “I joined in last year and felt a bit stupid because I could see that my house was the only one in the whole street taking part.

“This can only be a gesture but it is a useful one because it will remind people to switch off energy-consuming appliances when they are not using them.”

Earlier this month, an Oxford Mail survey found almost half the businesses in Cornmarket Street were leaving their lights on throughout the night.

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk