Pages

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Earth Hour


In 2006, WWF-Australia inspired Sydney-siders to show their support for climate change action in the first ever Earth Hour event. It showed that everyone, from children to CEOs and politicians, has the power to change the world they live in.

Then in March 2007 in Sydney, Australia, 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights out for one hour to take a stand against climate change.

In 2008, the plan was to take Earth Hour to the rest of Australia. But then the City of Toronto, Canada, signed up and it wasn’t long before 35 countries and almost 400 cities and towns were part of the event. It said something compelling to the world: that the climate challenges facing our planet are so significant that change needs to be global.

With the invitation to ‘switch off’ extended to everyone, Earth Hour quickly became an annual global event. It’s scheduled on the last Saturday of every March – closely coinciding with the equinox to ensure most cities are in darkness as it rolled out around the Earth.
In 2011, Earth Hour saw hundreds of millions of people across 135 countries switch off for an hour. But it also marked the start of something new – going Beyond the Hour to commit to lasting action on climate change. And with the power of social networks behind the Earth Hour message, we hope to attract even more participation so we can build a truly global community committed to creating a more sustainable planet. 


5 comments:

Jim said...

This is a great movement John! Now to convince the 'powers that be' that everyone is serious about this before it is too late!
Great post.

Gill - That British Woman said...

Aren't those Canadians a pain cashing in on what you Australian's do....LOL

Gill in Canada

JohnD said...

Gill, there is no enmity towards the Canadians or any members of the other nationalities that have taken up the banner of the Earth Hour cause - far be it so!

I am sure you will join and turn your electricity off at the appointed time on the appointed day for such a magnificent WWF event.

Jim, Yes! It is a marvelous environmental event and whilst making little impact on carbon emissions it certainly does send a message!

Cindy@NorthofWiarton said...

Great post, John. Aren't us Canucks wonderful followers of great causes? LOl Have a great day, John.

"Just Me" here in Ontario, Canada

PS. Did you get my email on the Cottage Roll?

cathy@home said...

HiJohnD you dont apologise to me If its a good idea then it should be shared and I think that was the idea.