Great Green Idea: Green Living: Countdown to Earth Hour

Countdown to Earth Hour

Earth Hour is a yearly event at which millions of people across the globe turn off their electricity for one hour to make an energy conservation statement. It is sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), a global conservation organization. WWF has over five million supporters in a network of more than 100 countries. Among its missions is bringing a halt to the destruction of the natural environment on the earth. In 2004 WWF Australia began to look for new ideas to take the issue of climate change to the mainstream public. That year began a campaign that was based on the hope that all people can take responsibility for the planet.

WWF met with their advertising agency to talk about ways that Australians could get involved in issues relating to climate change. The concept began with the idea of turning off electricity on an enormous scale. At its inception it was titled "The Big Flick". WWF sought a name that would represent more than just switching of lights. Thus, the name Earth Hour was introduced in the year 2006.

The first Earth Hour took place in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. Participants totaled 2.2 million individuals and over 2,000 businesses that each shut off their lights for one hour. In 2008 this stand against climate change grew into a global movement. That year over 50 million people in 35 countries participated in the event. Globally, landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, the CN Tower and the Coliseum in Rome went dark. The urgency for change was manifested in a dramatic fashion around the world. Earth Hour 2009 saw an increase of interest and hundreds of millions of people participated. More than 4000 cities in 88 countries pledged their support for the planet by turning off their electricity; making Earth Hour 2009 the largest climate change initiative in the world.

The largest Earth Hour ever was Saturday, March 27, 2010. The event broke records with the participation of over 126 countries and territories. In China alone, 3 million people pledged support to this cause. Celebrities and common people alike joined forces to make a humongous statement. Samoa was the last country to power off and was the country that closed down Earth Hour 2010.

Earth Hour 2011 takes place Saturday, March 26 at 8:30pm. This event will represent a celebration of the worldwide commitment to the betterment of the world. Literally hundreds of millions of people across the globe have signed up to participate in this movement. Earthhour.org is a website where interested people can sign up and get earth friendly information. The website features an inspiring and interesting video that speaks as the voice of the planet.

The unity expressed during Earth Hour makes a strong statement for defense of this planet. These yearly events have definitely raised awareness of global environmental issues. But organizers of Earth Hour are encouraging people to give serious thought to going beyond one hour every year. They believe the best way to celebrate this occasion is to commit to being a voice of change every day of the year.