Earth Hour 2011

Earth Hour 2011 takes place Saturday March 26th at 8:30 pm in your local time zone. It’s easy to participate, just turn off your lights for one hour. 

The main point of Earth Hour is to show that a solution to the world’s environmental challenges is possible if we work on them worldwide, collectively together.

Earth Hour began on March 31, 2007 when more than two million individuals and two thousand businesses in Sydney, Australia turned off their lights for one hour to take action against climate change.  The event was organized by the World Wildlife Fund.

Earth Hour asks individuals, businesses and communities worldwide to show their commitment to the environment by turning out lights for one hour. The Earth Hour 2011 theme is “Go beyond the hour.” Organizers want you to think about what you can change in your daily life that will benefit the planet by reducing environmental impact.  

Earth Hour asks that you turn off only non-essential lighting. No need to turn off appliances like refrigerators. Security lights should remain on. Since Earth Hour is a celebration of the planet, it’s important to enjoy it in a safe environment.

The determination of what lights to turn off  is a decision to be made individually, but usually overhead room lights, lamps computers, decorative lights, neon signs for advertising, televisions, desk lamps and and outdoor lighting that does not impact safety can be turned off in support of Earth Hour. Lights necessary for life saving procedures, safety lights in public spaces, lights for aviation guidance, and traffic signals should of course remain on.

Before you turn off any lights in public spaces, Earth Hour recommends you check with local officials or community centers. In your own home, use common sense with respect to safety. Keep small night lights on for basic safety especially in halls and on stairs. Make sure you have alternative light sources available before Earth Hour starts, like candles or flashlights.  If using candles, Earth Hour organizers say to choose natural, not petroleum-based products.

Earth Hour is not a black out. It is a voluntary action to show commitment to an act of change that benefits the planet. For many businesses and government buildings lights will actually be turned off at the end of the business day (today) the Friday before Earth Hour. You may be able to see dramatic changes in large business districts or at landmarks around the world and in your city.

The last weekend of March is normally when the spring and autumn equinoxes in the northern and southern hemispheres created nearly coincidental sunset times in both hemispheres, thereby ensuring the greatest visual impact for the global Earth Hour event.

Earth Hour is said to be among the greatest environmental actions in history.  Individuals, businesses and governments across 128 countries came together for Earth Hour 2010. More than 1,000 landmarks and famous places like the Pyramids in Egypt, the Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building, Niagara Falls, Beijing’s Forbidden City, Cape Town’s Table Mountain, the Sydney Opera House and Buckingham Palace stood in darkness to participate in the Earth Hour global grassroots movement.

Earth Hour aims to inspire by creating a visual display showing what can be done through global efforts. Find out more about Earth Hour 2011 @ www.earthhour.org.