Welcome to Earth Hour, the time when darkness is celebrated as an act of bravery and consciousness. Millions of people, organizations, and landmarks worldwide switch off their lights for an hour to show their commitment to the planet. It is a global movement that takes place annually, encouraging people to switch off their lights for an hour to remind us that we all have a role to play in protecting our environment.

In this blog post, we'll delve deeper into the history of Earth Hour, its significance, and the impact it has on raising awareness of climate change. We'll also explore the importance of sustainable habits beyond Earth Hour and how they can make a significant difference in our daily lives. 

So, let's shine a light on Earth Hour and discover how turning off your lights can make a big difference.

Earth Hour History

2007-2010

Earth Hour began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, and was organized by WWF Australia and Leo Burnett Sydney. The event was initially called "The Big Flick" and gained support from Fairfax Media and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.

In 2008, Earth Hour became an international event, with 35 countries participating, and landmarks around the world turned off their non-essential lighting. Some websites also participated in the event, with Google's homepage going "dark" on the day. The event saw a decrease in electricity usage in various countries, including Bangkok, the Philippines, and Ireland.

In 2009, the campaign was titled "Vote Earth" and aimed to receive one billion votes. 88 countries and 4,159 cities participated in Earth Hour 2009, and for the first time, the United Nations Headquarters in New York City participated. Some public institutions reported on electricity savings in their cities, including a 15.1% decrease in Toronto's electricity usage.

Earth Hour 2010 saw 126 countries participate, and landmarks such as the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower turned off their lights. Long-term adjustments to everyday power consumption were also made in some cities, such as the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) developing lighting guidelines to reduce light pollution in Chicago and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota starting to power down earlier each night.

The event continues to be held annually, with about 4,000 cities participating in 2010, including landmarks such as Big Ben, the Sydney Opera House, and the Parthenon. Earth Hour aims to raise awareness about climate change and encourage individuals, businesses, and governments to take action to reduce their carbon footprint.

2011 to Present

In 2011, Earth Hour had the largest participation in its history with 5,251 cities and towns in 135 countries and territories participating. The campaign's digital footprint also grew to 91 million that year.

In 2012, Earth Hour Global headquarters moved from Sydney to Singapore and the event was observed in more than 7,000 cities and towns across 152 countries and territories.

Earth Hour 2019 had the participation of 188 countries and territories, with Miss Earth 2018 Nguyễn Phương Khánh from Vietnam as the Earth Hour Ambassador.

In 2020, Earth Hour went digital due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with 190 countries and territories participating. Earth Hour 2021 and 2022 took place on March 27 and March 26 respectively, while Earth Hour 2023 is scheduled for tomorrow, March 25.

Why Earth Hour Is Important?

Earth Hour is an important event for many reasons. Here are some of the main reasons why it is crucial to participate in this event:

1. Raising Awareness

Earth Hour is an excellent way to raise awareness about environmental issues, particularly climate change. By turning off our lights for one hour, we are sending a clear message that we care about the planet and are willing to take action to protect it.

2. Encouraging Action

Earth Hour is not just about turning off our lights for one hour. It is also about encouraging people to take action to reduce their carbon footprint and make positive changes in their daily lives. By participating in Earth Hour, we can inspire others to make changes that will benefit the environment.

3. Showing Support

Earth Hour is an opportunity for people to come together and show their support for the environment. It is a way to demonstrate our collective commitment to protecting the planet for future generations.

4. Sending a Message to Leaders

Earth Hour sends a message to our leaders that we are concerned about the environment and expect them to take action to address the pressing issues facing our planet. It is a way to hold our leaders accountable and remind them of the urgent need to take action on climate change.

5. Promoting Sustainable Living

Earth Hour is a reminder that we need to live more sustainably. It encourages us to think about our daily habits and make changes that will reduce our impact on the environment. By living more sustainably, we can help to protect the planet and create a more sustainable future.

Earth Hour is an important event that reminds us of the urgent need to take action to protect the planet. It is a way to raise awareness, encourage action, show support, send a message to leaders, and promote sustainable living. By participating in Earth Hour, we can all make a difference and help to create a better, more sustainable future for ourselves and for generations to come.

Conclusion

Earth Hour has come a long way since it first started in Sydney, Australia in 2007. It has now become a global movement that encourages individuals and communities to take action against climate change. By turning off our lights for just one hour, we are not only showing our support for the cause, but we are also reducing our carbon footprint and making a positive impact on our planet.

Earth Hour may seem like a small gesture, but it has the power to inspire real change. It reminds us that we all have a role to play in protecting our environment and that together, we can make a difference.

Whether you choose to participate in Earth Hour or not, remember that every small action counts. Let's continue to work towards a sustainable future and make every hour Earth Hour.