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Switching off the lights doesn’t just save money. It makes a statement.
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Tomorrow evening, people across the globe are encouraged to “give an hour for earth” by participating in this year’s Earth Hour. An initiative now approaching its twentieth year, WWF’s Earth Hour encourages people to switch off non-essential lights for one hour to raise awareness for nature and climate change. More than one-hundred and ninety countries and territories currently take part in the initiative.
Originating in Sydney, Australia, Earth Hour is a global statement of solidarity to show concern for the natural world and the importance of preserving it. Iconic landmarks, such as the Sydney Opera House and the UK Houses of Parliament, turn off their lights to show how significant such an action can be.
What Has Earth Hour Achieved So Far?
Earth Hour may be known for the symbolic “lights off” to show support for the natural world around us, but it has also fueled other climate-positive activity all over the world, such as:
- It has established a 2,700-hectare protected forest in Uganda
- It has been used to support a US Senate bill for 3.4 million hectares of protected marine area in Argentina
- It has helped with installing solar-powered lights in three villages without electricity in India
- It has aided the launch of education programs for schools in Thailand and Taiwan
- It has helped to build public support in Paraguay to extend a logging ban, thus reducing deforestation activity.
What Can You Do During Earth Hour?
Earth Hour is a time to focus the mind on the impact of our activity on nature and on the planet generally. It can also be a time to mentally “switch off” from the busyness of daily life. Whilst it may be a great idea to spend the hour doing a regular activity by candlelight or in the half-light of dusk, it’s also a time to do an activity that you love whilst doing something good for the planet. Whether it’s in the realm of arts and crafts, fitness, or entertainment, activities relating to these areas could be your gateway to experiencing the best of our planet. Why not go out to your local nature reserve and take some photos, or sketch, or go to a concert organized for Earth Hour?
Why Is It Important Now, More Than Ever?
With current geopolitical events and governments across the globe shifting focus away from environmental concerns, it may feel as though initiatives such as Earth Hour are a drop in the ocean for what needs to be done to halt climate change. The success stories from Earth Hour and the amount of people who take part each year prove that change is possible from a seemingly insignificant action: turning off lights. Energy resources are finite and, as the cost of energy increases, we must recognise that actions such as turning off unnecessary lights have a mutual benefit for saving money and preserving resources.
The growing significance of Earth Hour across the globe sends a message of unity for environmental concern. A small act does send a big signal. So, with that in mind…did you remember where you put the candles?
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