Changing climate in Bulgaria

WWF has launched its first public campaign in Bulgaria focused on the problem of climate change. The campaign was launched on March 26 in connection with Earth Hour, when cities around the world switched off their lights for an hour to raise awareness of climate change, and will extend into the fall.

The WWF campaign seeks to bring the problem of climate change home to all Bulgarians -- climate change is not a distant phenomenon, of concern to island nations or future generations, but a problem here and now that is already affecting us. Bulgarians must take urgent action to limit climate change by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions as well as taking measures to adapt to ongoing and future changes.  

"What will the weather be like tomorrow? Climate anomalies are happening here and now. We can do something about them", is the slogan on billboards, print and city lights advertisements. The visuals underline the unpredictability of seasons, temperatures and weather in Bulgaria, featuring for example a roulette wheel with different temperatures.

The advertisements have been developed pro bono for WWF by Ogilvy & Mather Sofia and are being placed free of charge in over 50 print media as well as outdoor advertising throughout Sofia and Bulgaria.

In Sofia, during Earth Hour, the lights dimmed on historical monuments including the Alexander Nevsky cathedral and Parliament, main streets and some 30% of commercial rental properties in Sofia, including the Business Park Sofia, Bulgaria Centre, Porsche Centre, Hilton hotel and Colliers International, creating an 8.5% drop in electricity consumption.  

The impacts of climate change are already being felt in Bulgaria, with more extreme and anomalous weather patterns, longer and more severe droughts as well as flooding.

Urgent action by all, from governments, to businesses and individuals can limit these changes. At the same time, some changes are inevitable and here to stay, so urgent measures must be taken now to adapt to new realities. For this, working with nature rather than against it must be a key strategy. We must enhance the resilience of natural systems rather than weaken them at a time when they are most needed. 

 Contact: Konstantin Ivanov, WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme/Bulgaria, T: +359-2-9640545