The days are finally getting longer and, to everyone’s delight as the spring equinox is March 20. Confused? So is our wildlife and plants. Years ago, you could probably say you remember when winter was winter and spring was spring.

Unfortunately, due to climate change, we are experiencing all seasons rolled into one and I’m not talking about just living in Scotland.

Last year was the warmest year on record - particularly February and March - and it looks like 2017 is going to be the same.

Why say this? Well reports are coming in throughout Britain that butterflies were on the wing on New Year’s Day and frogs were spawning in January (two months early) whilst our ‘hibernating’ prickly mammal-the hedgehog isn’t hibernating. Worrying isn’t?

What is climate change? Scientists believe the use of fossil fuels like coal and gas when burned, release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere increasing temperatures.

But there’s other human influence too, including deforestation where woodlands are cleared for development and agriculture. When this happens we lose wildlife and plants and contribute to global warming. Worldwide, humans depend on woodlands not only for enjoyment, but also for providing food, shelter and habitats for plants and animals yet removing acres of woodland creates soil erosion, affects water tables and animals lose their homes leaving them vulnerable and risk of dying out.

What is Earth Hour? World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) ten years ago, introduced an event in Australia asking their communities to turn off their lights for one hour, 8.30pm to 9.30pm, in the evening near the end of March.

Since this event, it has become a worldwide symbol of people’s commitment to helping the planet as the many countries involved saw a decrease in energy during the one hour lights out. We use energy everywhere but believe it or not, it’s inside your home with appliances like gas central heating, television, fridge, washing machine and computers which use huge amounts of energy.

Did you know boiling a full kettle four times a day amounts to £58.40 a year, but you can do your bit.

Here’s how:

Get involved not just during Earth hour. Get outdoors. Do a bit of gardening, cycle, go for a walk, turn heating down and only fill up the kettle for one or two cups, turn off appliances on stand-by.

During Earth hour, sign up at wwf.org.uk, turn television off, light the candles and get the board games out. Better still come and be part of it with Glasgow City Council’s Carbon Management Team and the Countryside Rangers for an evening of activities in the People’s Palace from 6.30pm and an Earth Hour walk 8.30pm-9.30pm at Glasgow Green on Saturday March 25.

Call Countryside Rangers on 0141 276 0927 for further information.

Jackie Clark

Countryside Ranger, Pollok Country Park