Are You Ready for Earth Hour 2015?
This Saturday, between 8:30-9:30 pm (local time), the planet will observe Earth Hour. It’s a simple gesture; turning off lights to bring awareness to climate change. But does it work? Does it matter?
2015’s World Wildlife Fund Earth Hour, the 8th annual event, precedes a major global climate deal expected later this year.
“Climate change is not just the issue of the hour, it's the issue of our generation,” Sudhanshu Sarronwala, Chair, Board of Directors, Earth Hour Global said in a statement. “Earth Hour is the world’s most enduring people’s movement focused on climate. 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.”
Famous landmarks across the globe will turn off all non-essential lights in observance of Earth Hour, including the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco will turn off their lights, and the campaign notes that “close to 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Acropolis in Athens and Edinburgh Castle in Scotland are also scheduled to go dark in support of Earth Hour."
Earth Hour will be observed in more than 7,000 cities in 172 countries in 24 time zones.
“Climate change knows no borders and neither does the crowd. WWF's climate movement is powered by people, has massive reach and is pursuing an urgent purpose in demanding climate action,” added Sarronwala.
Of course, we won’t solve or reverse climate change in one dark hour a year, but the event does reduce energy use, and quite a lot of it. But the bigger impact is the global discussion, why turning off the lights does matter, and the funds raise to support regional projects.
There’s still plenty of time to get involved in an Earth Hour event near you—or start your own! Check out the Earth Hour website for more info.
Image: macdomeng
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