Home

Earth Hour heads into record territory

Posted on 05 March 2010 | en sr

Earth Hour - from a one city, one country event in 2007 to nearly half the world's countries already signed up for the annual lights out for climate change on March 27 this year.

Gland, Switzerland: A record Earth Hour is looming with more countries now signed up for the event than for last year’s globe circling lights out for climate action.

Just over two weeks out from the event, timed for 8.30 pm on March 27, organisers are now active in in 92 countries, compared to a final participation figure of 88 countries in 2009 which saw hundreds of millions participating.

With confirmation that the Tokyo Tower in Tokyo and Brandenburg Gate in Berlin will both turn off their lights for Earth Hour, all members of the G20 are now taking part in the event.

“Earth Hour demonstrates the determination of the world’s citizens for a better healthier world,” said Earth Hour Executive Director, Andy Ridley.

“It brings together cities, communities, businesses and individuals on the journey to positive action on climate change,”

As a co-founder of the event, Ridley has seen it boom from a one city, one country event in 2007 to the levels where nearly half the world’s nations, and many of its largest cities and iconic landmarks make a statement for a more secure and safer future.

Countries and regions involved for the first time include Kosovo, the remote island nation of Madagascar, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia, Cambodia, Czech Republic, Paraguay, Ecuador and the US Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands in the Pacific Ocean amongst others.

Honduras became the latest nation to have official Earth Hour recognition and Earth Hour global organisers confirm that there are currently more than 1,100 cities and towns signed up to switch their lights off at 8.30pm on 27 March - 100 more than at the same time last year.

“Typically we see a big jump in the number of cities and towns taking part in the last few days before the lights go out, but to see such strong support already is fantastic,” said Ridley.

“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,” he said.

“Whether it’s joining your community in a town square to watch the city lights go dark or hosting a lights out party in your own home, I encourage everybody across the world to be a part of this important and historic occasion. Turn off your lights, celebrate the planet, enjoy the moment and think about the future of our living planet.”

For more information about Earth Hour 2010 please contact:
Kirsten Hodgon, Communications Director, Earth Hour Global
Tel: +61 (0) 424 507 095 E: khodgon@wwf.org.au

Comments

Za. Firmi

May 3, 2010 - 01:50

Very good initiative. Should think more ones - walk to work, an hour or day without cars ..

Nicole Hache

March 14, 2010 - 14:18

I have a vision were all the people of the world will get together on a spiritual journey and agree to help every creature to survive on this planet..we only have one life ....

Ivan Vicove

March 13, 2010 - 12:49

Very good initiative. Perhaps it is better to be launched as an initiative once a month

starfred

March 9, 2010 - 15:26

save earth , c'était le rêve , c'était chanté , c'était son souhait ,
michael jackson : earth song , il avait raison , il a raison
cela serait mon souhaît , paix aux homme de bonne volonté dans
le monde , the best world of futur , the best life for futur children
spécial very tank together change the futur life enjoy life tank

Pavithra Mohanraj

March 9, 2010 - 07:14

It's a delight to see the number of individuals, communities, organizations, cities and countries taking part in Earth Hour soar year after year. The first step towards ushering in any form of change is to raise awareness, and this Earth Hour is doing with resounding success. It's a brilliant campaign, with its brilliance lying in its sheer simplicity.
Here's hoping that more and more people cast their vote for a better planet, and let's hope this global show of solidarity for the climate change cause will convince our governments of the need for systemic changes and make them bring about better policies to pave the way for a better future. And in daring to dream this, let's not forget our individual roles in building a sustainable future!

pradeep

March 8, 2010 - 09:26

Last year our appartment consisting of 92 flats courted darkness for an hour. During that time we met on the terrace of the building and bonded with each other.

Such initiatives make people aware of the risks that our future generations are being exposed to and help in communicating the steps that one can take the reduce the effects of green house gases.

Priscilla

March 7, 2010 - 15:28

im in =)

manbir

March 7, 2010 - 07:30

Life will be pleasent if we are satisfied with what we have,but make it more thrilling by efforts and let that be of saving our dearEARTH.....hats off to such tasks .......congrats to all enviornment concerned for getting such a overwhelming response of various nations

Boris Jokic

March 6, 2010 - 12:47

It can be done! Last year we organized Earth Hour for the first time in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This year, we got support from Municipality authorities, and we'll go for the whole town Bugojno under moto:
A bit of darkness for the brighter future!

Francis Miguez

March 6, 2010 - 08:12

4,000 cities and towns across 88 countries should and must turn off their lights for at least 5 hours which will be good. 10 hours will be great, and 15 hours will be awesome. Like I said, it needs to be done at least 5 days a month, year after year. This message has to be heard by at least 5 billion people or more.