Earth Hour is annually observed across the world observed on the last Saturday of March by turning off the lights for 60 minutes as a global symbol of unity and commitment towards protecting the planet and preserving the environment.
- Occasionally, in the years when Holy Saturday(Easter Eve) falls on the last Saturday of March, Earth Hour is held a week earlier.
Earth Hour 2024 was observed on 23rd March 2024 since Holy Saturday 2024 falls on 30th March 2024. 2024 marks observance of 18th year of Earth Hour.
- Earth Hour 2023 was observed on 25 March 2023(Last Saturday of March 2023);
- Earth Hour 2025 will be observed on the 22nd of March.
2024 observance:
i.People across the globe observed the Earth hour 2024 from 8.30 PM to 9.30 PM.
ii.Earth Hour 2024 aims to create the Biggest Hour for Earth with its call-to-action “Give an hour for Earth”
Background:
i.The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) (formerly World Wildlife Fund) and partners first launched Earth Hour as a “lights off” movement in Australia in 2007.
ii.The first Earth Hour event was held on 31 March 2007 in Sydney, Australia.
- Over 2.2 million individuals and 2,000 businesses turned their lights out for one hour in the 1st Earth Hour event.
iii.As part of the biggest global grassroots movement for the planet, people from over 180 countries and territories come together to switch off all non-essential lights for an hour, as a symbol of their commitment to the planet.
Why late March?
i.Earth Hour is strategically scheduled during the second-to-last and last weekend of March.
ii.This aligns with the Spring and Autumn equinoxes in the northern and southern hemispheres.
iii.The time of observance allows for near-coincidental sunset times in both hemispheres, creating a global ‘lights out’ event
Significance of Earth Hour:
i.Earth Hour is established to advocate energy consumption and the reduction of carbon emissions.
ii.Earth Hour aims to raise awareness of the climate crisis and promote support for renewable energy.
iii.Earth Hour unites people, communities, and businesses worldwide to demonstrate their commitment to environmental management, sustainability, and their collective efforts to combat climate change.
2024 Observance:
i.On 23 March 2024, over 1.4 million hours were contributed by supporters from over 180 countries and territories, making Earth Hour 2024 the biggest hour for Earth.
Logo of Earth Hour:
i.The standard Earth Hour ’60’ logo represents the 60 minutes (an hour long) of Earth Hour, where we focus on our impact on our planet and take positive steps to address environmental issues.
ii.Pocoyo, a children’s animated character has been Global Kids’ Ambassadors for Earth Hour since 2010.
- Pocoyo and his friends (Elly & Pato) have helped raise awareness of the Earth Hour movement.
Note: For Earth Hour 2011, the ‘60+’ logo was introduced representing a commitment to add to Earth Hour a positive act for the planet that goes beyond the hour.
The Biggest Hour for Earth Campaign:
i.On 25th March 2023 at 8.30pm WWF’s Earth Hour launched the “Biggest Hour for Earth” campaign, and mobilise people around the world to Give an Hour for Earth.
ii.In the first year of the campaign, WWF’s Earth Hour surpassed its target of reaching 60,000 hours given for Earth (equivalent to the 7 years until 2030) and witnessed an incredible total of more than 410,000 hours pledged on the ‘Hour Bank’.
Earth Hour in India:
i.WWF-India has been leading the annual movement to create the Biggest Hour for Earth in India since 2009.
ii.Earth Hour in India was first observed on 28 March 2009 (Saturday).
