Earth Hour Archives -

Put Earth first: can a greener, fairer fashion industry emerge from crisis?

April 1, 2020March 27, 2020 by Editorial Team

After Covid19, the best we can hope for the fashion industry is a rebirth that puts people and planet ahead of profits. Earth Hour this Saturday is a further reminder that every moment counts

Iconic Harrods storefront in complete darkness

March 16, 2016March 16, 2016 by Editorial Team

Our actions today can change our tomorrow.

Major London landmarks are set to plunge into darkness on Saturday 19th March 2016 at 8:30pm in aid of 2016 Earth Hour, an event created by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) that takes place each year in order to raise awareness of climate change.

Imagine the iconic Harrods storefront in complete darkness, without its trademark sparkling lights offsetting Brompton Road with that ever-recognisable glow. The famous Knightsbridge luxury hub will be turning off its exterior lights for one hour.

“Usually illuminated by 5,000 10-watt Xenon lamps – some of the best energy-saving types available – the Harrods storefront blackout is sure to be a captivating sight and we are extremely proud to be taking part in such an exciting and influential event,” said Harrods in a statement.

The WWF’s Earth Hour has become a global phenomenon with 2015 seeing 10.4 million people in the UK and a record 172 countries across the world celebrating.

As the world steps into a new era of climate action, WWF’s Earth Hour is urging its supporters to shine a light on climate action through the most powerful communication tool of our time – social media.

This Earth Hour, Saturday, 19 March 2016 8:30 p.m. local time, as the world’s most iconic landmarks prepare to switch off their lights, supporters will be invited to take a stand for climate action on their own personal landmarks – their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Social media users can promote their commitment to the planet by donating their Facebook feeds to spread climate awareness and action in a few clicks on www.earthhour.org/climateaction. Users can also add a custom-made Earth Hour filter to their profile pictures on Facebook and Twitter to show they believe this is our time to change climate change.

“Social media knows no physical boundaries and neither does climate change,” said Siddarth Das, Executive Director, Earth Hour Global. “A simple action on social media is the kind of powerful statement that can excite friends and communities to be a part of the climate action we need to take on this global challenge.”

With the innovative ‘Donate Your Social Power’ Facebook app, created by Earth Hour in collaboration with creative agency iris Worldwide, supporters around the world can share climate information that matters most to them.

By donating their timelines, users can invite friends and followers to discover how people and communities are helping protect #PlacesWeLove in Australia such as the World Heritage Forests in Tasmania and the Great Barrier Reef or how they can be a part of India’s ambition to #GoSolar. They can also collectively shine a
light on the most pressing climate issues facing countries, people and wildlife in Latin America and be a part of Africa’s efforts to change climate change by helping protect forests and promoting access to climate education and renewable energy.

Earth hour: millions will switch off lights around the world for climate action

December 31, 2019March 27, 2015 by Editorial Team

#YourPower. “Climate Change is a people problem. This is the time to Use #YourPower. Join the global movement to #ChangeClimateChange.”

This article titled “Earth hour: millions will switch off lights around the world for climate action” was written by Karl Mathiesen, for theguardian.com on Friday 27th March 2015 09.37 UTC

The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, has said hundreds of millions of Earth hour participants around the world will demand a strong global climate agreement by switching off their lights for an hour on Saturday night.

Many of the world’s brightest lights will go dark at 8:30pm (GMT) as Earth hour marks its ninth year. In a video address, Ban said the symbolic switching-off held more significance than ever, just nine months before a pivotal UN meeting on the climate crisis in Paris.

“Climate change is a people problem. People cause climate change and people suffer from climate change. People can also solve climate change. This December in Paris, the United Nations is bringing nations together to agree a new, universal and meaningful climate agreement. It will be the culmination of a year of action on sustainable development,” said Ban.

More than 7,000 cities in 172 countries are expected to take part in the world’s largest ever demonstration, which has grown from a single World Wildlife Fund (WWF) event in Sydney in 2007.

“Earth Hour shows what is possible when we unite in support of a cause: no individual action is too small, no collective vision is too big. This is the time to use your power,” said Ban.

Organisers said this year’s demonstration would be the biggest yet. Sudhanshu Sarronwala, chair of Earth Hour global said: “Climate change is not just the issue of the hour, it’s the issue of our generation. The lights may go out for one hour, but the actions of millions throughout the year will inspire the solutions required to change climate change.”

Some the world’s most famous landmarks will turn their lights out. The UN building in New York will join London’s Houses of Parliament, Rio de Janeiro’s Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. In Bulgaria a giant Danube sturgeon fish will be drawn in fire in the capital, Sofia. Millions of other, more humble, participants will take part by simply switching from electricity to candlelight for an hour.

Colin Butfield, director of campaigns at WWF-UK said the mass participation was a demand for climate action and politicians should take heed. “The fact that such a huge number of people are taking part in Earth Hour across the world and are using it as a moment to inspire action on sustainability in their own communities sends a really clear message that the public is ready to tackle climate change – we now need politicians to show the same drive,” he said.

Britain’s energy and climate change secretary, Ed Davey, who has been heavily involved in the climate negotiations at the UN, called for a response to climate change that was commensurate with its threat. “It’s time for everyone to recognise that climate change will touch just about everything we do and everything we care about. Earth Hour is an excellent opportunity for millions of people across the world to take one simple step to show they’re serious about backing action on climate change,” said Davey.

Joy Dominguez, 11, studies under a solar lamp. Photograph: Gregg Yan/WWF

Ban said the focus on climate change should not distract from Earth Hour’s other key mission: introducing clean energy to the most remote and impoverished communities on Earth. “By turning out the lights we also highlight that more than a billion people lack access to electricity. Their future wellbeing requires access to clean, affordable energy,” he said.

In 2014 Earth Hour used a crowdfunding platform to raise money and deliver thousands of fuel-efficient stoves to families in Madagascar and solar kits to remote villages in Uganda. The organisation also supplied islands in the Philippines with solar power for the first time and raised money for victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

Published via the Guardian News Feed plugin for WordPress.

The first Super Hero ambassador for Earth Hour

February 18, 2014 by Editorial Team

The idea of Earth Hour, the global movement organized by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), has grown beyond anything we could have dreamed. This year with the help of Spider-M.an by our side, WWF is taking the movement to the next stage and inspires individuals to use their power to become Super Heroes … Read more

Earth Hour City Challenge to reward cities’ sustainability achievements

January 17, 2014 by Editorial Team

2014 Earth Hour City Challenge – The global celebration of the most lovable sustainable cities; Cities around the globe have received special recognition by WWF for impressive actions on climate change. We all love our cities differently. But here are four reasons why they play a big role in a renewable and sustainable future: smarter transportation, … Read more

Vancouver gets WWF 2013 Global Earth Hour Capital award

March 21, 2013 by Editorial Team

First ever Global Earth Hour Capital: Vancouver was crowned Earth Hour capital by World Wildlife Fund WWF’s Earth Hour City Challenge (EHCC) has recognised the City of Vancouver, Canada, for its innovative actions on climate change and dedication to create a sustainable, pleasant urban environment for current and future residents. After reviewing the merits of the six … Read more