EARTH HOUR... AND BEYOND
It’s nearly that night of the year again: from 8:30 – 9:30pm on Saturday March 26 2011, over a billion people in hundreds of countries around the world will be switching off all non-essential lighting to observe a phenomenon which has gained huge popularity since its inception in 2007 – Earth Hour.
Bright idea
Earth Hour is a global event organized by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature, also known as World Wildlife Fund), which asks households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change. Earth Hour was conceived by WWF and The Sydney Morning Herald in 2007, when 2.2 million residents of Sydney participated by turning off all non-essential lights. Inspired, many other cities around the world adopted the event in 2008. Earth Hour 2011 will take place on March 26, 2011 from 8:30pm to 9:30pm, at participants' respective local time.
It is typically held on the last Saturday of March every year, as this is around the time of the Spring and Autumn equinoxes in the northern and southern hemispheres respectively. This allows for near coincidental sunset times in both hemispheres, ensuring the greatest visual spectacle for a global ‘lights out’ event.
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Good to know
One of the most frequently asked questions about Earth Hour is “Should I switch off all my household appliances during the hour?” Simply put: no. Earth Hour only asks that you turn off non-essential lighting. This does not mean you have to turn off your geyser or fridge, but Earth Hour does encourage you to be part of this global action by switching off your lights, as well as making a commitment to go beyond the hour with a long-term behavioural change. Safety and security lighting, however, should be left on. Earth Hour wants everyone to be absolutely safe and never to turn off any lights or power that would in any way compromise the safety of any individual in a private or public space. While Earth Hour is asking people to turn off lights for an hour the intention is never to make anyone or any place unsafe. So please put safety first when deciding what lights to turn off during your participation.
Remember: Earth Hour is not a black out. It is a voluntary action to show a commitment to an act of change that benefits Planet Earth. For many businesses in city skyscrapers or for many government buildings, the lights are turned off at the end of the business day the Friday before Earth Hour. There is usually no instant dramatic difference, but rather a gradual dimming of lights starting the day prior.
Many major icons and neon signs are switched off for the hour and they are extremely noticeable, such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Colosseum. You may be able to see dramatic changes in large business districts or at iconic landmarks and buildings around the world and in your city.
Beyond the hour
Earth Hour 2010 saw individuals, communities, businesses and governments in more than 4500 cities and towns across 128 countries transcend race, culture, religion, geography and generation to unite for an hour to show leadership on the face of climate change.
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