Earth Hour is a global climate change initiative from WWF, one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisations, with almost five million supporters.
Individuals, businesses, governments and communities are invited to turn out their lights for one hour on Saturday, 28th March 2009 at 8.30pm to show their support for action on climate change.
The event began in Sydney in 2007, when 2 million people switched off their lights. In 2008, more than 50 million people around the globe participated. In 2009, Earth Hour aims to reach out to 1 billion people in 1,000 cities.
Two weeks to go
With over two weeks still to go before the globe switches off for Earth Hour, the number of cities and towns signing up to switch their lights off has already exceeded the ambitious target of 1,000 set by Earth Hour organisers.
Currently 1,189 cities and towns across 80 countries are committed, with more coming on board every day.
The historic event will see millions of people gathered in parks, streets, town squares and homes around the world to witness the lights going out on iconic landmarks and city skylines, while taking in the atmosphere of some truly unique Earth Hour events.
Around the world
In Sydney, where Earth Hour began in 2007, every ferry in the city’s famous harbour will sound its horn at precisely 8.30pm to herald the beginning of Earth Hour in Australia, while in Melbourne a people-pedal-powered concert will be underway at Federation Square.
On the other side of the world, arrangements will be underway for a host of concerts and parties in cities across Europe, including a ‘circle of percussion’ in Athens, where people will be given percussion instruments to play, led by a conductor, as the lights go out on the Acropolis.
In Oslo’s city centre, members of the public will take up the challenge of peddle-powered light bulbs, while residents in the city of Lisbon will sit down to an evening of outdoor candle-lit dining as they watch their city skyline go dark.
More than just a call to action
Earth Hour Executive Director, Mr Andy Ridley, says Earth Hour is more than just a call to action on climate change.
“Earth Hour is an opportunity for the global community to speak in one voice on the issue of climate change, while at the same time coming together in celebration of the one thing every single person on the planet has in common – the planet.” Andy Ridley, Earth Hour Executive Director
With participation levels now exceeding all expectations, and with more cities and towns signing up every day to be a part of this historic event, the success of Earth Hour 2009 is limited only by the will of the global community to want a say in the future of their planet.
More information
Find out how you can get involved on the Earth Hour website. And share your views or tell us what you’ll be doing to mark the occasion, by leaving a comment for others to read.
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The new Vote Earth 2009 global website has launched. There is an element on the site that incorporates Google’s Friend Connect and we want to get 1 billion people on the site by November before Copenhagen. A big ask, so we need some help.
To get involved, all you need to do is:
1. Go to the site – http://www.voteearth2009.org
2. Register with Friend Connect
3. Send to a friend and get more people to sign up.
We need to get as many people as we can involved. So please encourage your friends to get involved.
Get involved and VOTE EARTH!
@Dominique Hind: Welcome to Green Pepper and thanks for letting us know about the Vote Earth 2009 website. I’ve registered and hope all our readers do too ;-)
Twitter: @GlobalPatriot
Such moments allow us to show our commitment to improving the world and protecting the planet. Whether for a day or an hour or a moment, acting in unison creates such a powerful message!