Earth Hour: A Global Movement For The Planet

Earth Hour is observed on the last Saturday of March (Credit Earthhour.org/ CCO)

On March 22, 2025, millions of people worldwide will celebrate Earth Hour. The annual event encourages individuals and businesses to turn off their lights for one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 PM local time. This symbolic act serves as a reminder of the urgent need to protect our planet from climate change and environmental damage.

The origin of Earth Hour

Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia, 18 years ago. On March 31, 2007, the Australian chapter of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) asked the city's residents and businesses to switch off all lights for an hour. Over two million households and 2,100 enterprises complied. Even landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge went dark. This small action resulted in a 10 percent reduction in electricity use during a typical evening hour in Sydney.

Earth Hour is observed by over 180 countries and territories (Credit: wwfcee.org/ CCO)

The success of the inaugural event sparked global interest. By 2009, nearly 4,000 cities worldwide had joined the initiative. Today, Earth Hour is the world’s largest grassroots environmental movement. It is observed in over 180 countries and territories.

Earth Hour has also led to tangible environmental initiatives globally. It has helped establish a marine sanctuary in Argentina and an Earth Hour forest in Uganda. In French Polynesia, the movement inspired the creation of the Managed Marine Area to protect marine ecosystems.

Participation

Joining Earth Hour is easy. Simply turn off non-essential lights and electrical appliances for one hour. Use the time to enjoy a candlelight dinner with family and friends or plan a picnic under the stars. For an extended experience, go camping and make it an "Earth Night."

Beyond Earth Hour

Small lifestyle changes go a long way in helping Earth (Credit: NOAA.gov/ CCO)

Earth Hour is a reminder that small daily habits can lead to meaningful change. Simple actions such as turning off unnecessary lights, conserving water and reducing plastic waste can help slow climate change and protect our natural resources. Let us all do our part in saving the only home we have.