Earth Hour - Biggest Climate Awareness Campaign Ever

Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million homes and businesses turned their lights off for one hour to make their stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating. Global landmarks such as the, Sydney Harbour Bridge, The CN Tower in Toronto, The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour

In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative
Earth Hour 2010 takes place on Saturday 27 March at 8.30pm (local time) and is a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world. It is a call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Europe to Asia to the Americas will stand in darkness. People across the world from all walks of life will turn off their lights and join together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet. let’s make 2010 the biggest Earth Hour yet!.
It’s Showtime! Show the world what can be done.

Why get involved?

Put simply, because our future depends on it!

Earth Hour has done a lot to raise awareness of climate change issues. But there’s more to it than switching off lights for one hour once a year. It’s all about giving people a voice on the future of our planet and working together to create a sustainable low carbon future for our planet.

The future can be bright

New economic modeling indicates the world has just five years to initiate a low carbon industrial revolution before runaway climate change becomes almost inevitable. But it can be done, and the long term benefits will be enormous. So now's the time to take a stand and give world leaders the mandate they need to make the right climate deal.

Delhiites gear up for Earth Hour

NEW DELHI: Delhiites are all set to turn off lights for an hour as the clock strikes 8.30 p.m. Saturday to observe Earth Hour, a global climate awareness initiative.

The Earth Hour is a global initiative by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) that aims to send out the message that people are concerned about climate change and that policy makers should make it their foremost priority.

India along with 92 other countries will observe "lights out" between 8.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. Saturday. All government buildings, private banks and ITC hotels will turn off lights during this time.

Even the India Inc is coming out in full support to promote the Earth Hour.

"It is projected that India will be one of the worst affected as a result of global warming. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and its members not only recognise the gravity of the challenge, but also are committed to tackling it," said Chandrajit Banerjee, CII director general.

"It is with this conviction that CII supports the Earth Hour and requests all businesses and citizens to join the campaign," he added.

Many in the city are planning to have candlelight get-togethers to show their commitment to save power -- and have fun at the same time.

"I will hold a candlelight terrace party and have invited my friends. It is going to be an excited evening," said Nishta Sharma, a Mass Communication student.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has appealed to all residents to join the initiative.

"Delhi was the lead city for Earth Hour 2009 when India joined this global campaign. Several historical buildings, office complexes, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), shopping centres and hotels switched off in support, resulting in close to 750 MW power saving in Delhi alone," Dikshit said.

Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan, the brand ambassador of this initiative, also enthused Delhi to 'act responsibly'.

"As responsible citizens of this planet, it is extremely crucial for us to address the colossal problem of climate change through ensuring responsible action and adopting a sustainable way of life... It is time we take a collective pledge to 'switch on' our minds and take one simple step to switch off the lights from 8.30 to 9.30 p.m.," Bachchan said.

WWF India's Chief Executive Officer Ravi Singh said millions in 4,088 cities, towns and municipalities across 88 countries participated in Earth Hour 2009.

The Earth Hour event takes place a week after the vernal equinox when night and day are of the same duration in both hemispheres.