Created to take a stand against the greatest threat our planet has ever faced, Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.
It started with a question: How can we inspire people to take action on climate change?
The answer: Ask the people of Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour.
On 31 March 2007, 2.2 million people and 2100 Sydney businesses turned off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour. This massive collective effort reduced Sydney’s energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour, which is the equivalent effect of taking 48,000 cars off the road for a year.
This simple act has captured the hearts and minds of people all over the world. As a result, at 8pm March 29, 2008 millions of people in some of the world’s major capital cities, including Copenhagen, Toronto, Chicago, Melbourne, Brisbane and Tel Aviv will unite and switch off for Earth Hour.
Earth Day is the perfect time to think about conserving, saving, recycling, and discovering new, more efficient products to help us do the things we do every day. Consider some of the consequences of your choices, what should you avoid purchasing or doing, and what products are better for the earth. Even something as simple as turning out lights when you’re not in a room and switching to cleaner sources of electricity like “green power”, make a big difference. Every little bit helps when we’re talking about saving the environment. Help make Earth Hour 2008 even bigger. See the difference you can make – visit http://www.earthhour.org/.
Paul Bies
President,
Mystique Brand Communications