It is an event that aims to create awareness of people taking responsibility towards a sustainable future by turning the lights off. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Europe to Asia to the Americas have stood in darkness during previous Earth Hours. Some people enjoy Earth Hour with a candle, while others host large events or parties, either in darkness or with candles, to celebrate Earth Hour. Businesses and government organizations, as well as political leaders also take part in Earth Hour.
Earth Hour started in Sydney, Australia, in 2007. This event saw 2.2 million homes and businesses turn their lights off for one hour. Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating in 2008. Global landmarks such as the, Sydney Harbour Bridge, the CN Tower in Toronto, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness for Earth Hour. In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour.
WWF, which organizes the annual Earth Hour event, aims to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment. It also focuses on building a future where people live in harmony with nature. The organization functions through a network of more than 90 offices in more than 40 countries worldwide. Its first office was founded in Morges, Switzerland, on September 11, 1961.
Electricity has become such an enormous part of our lives that it’s become difficult for us to imagine a moment without it. Be honest: can you really imagine life without your cell phone, your TV, or your refrigerator? Can you imagine having to wash all your clothes by hand, starting a fire just to get some warm water, or going to bed when it gets dark because candlelight is not really enough to do anything properly? You may take electricity for granted, but it wasn’t too long ago that the aforementioned situations were the norm for people all over the world. But everything has a price, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that the price of all of our lives being made easier is the well-being of the planet. And that’s why movements like Earth Hour were created—to help us all give our planet some thought every now and then.
You should also remember, however, that Earth Hour is not just about one hour, but about caring about our planet every other hour of every other day of the year, as well! The thousands upon thousands of Mwh of energy that are saved worldwide during Earth Hour mean nothing if we do not continue to care about the environment afterwards. So think about what you can do on a daily basis to save energy and then do it. Let the one hour that is Earth Hour inspire you to make the world a better place!
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