Earth Hour is annually observed across the globe on the last Saturday of March by turning out the lights from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (local time) as a symbolic act of support for the action taken on environmental issues and protecting the planet.
Earth Hour is one of the world’s largest grassroots movements for the environment.
Earth Hour 2023 was observed on 25th March 2023.
- Earth Hour 2022 was observed on 26th March 2022.
- Earth Hour 2024 will be observed on 30th March 2024.
The theme of Earth Hour 2023 is “The Biggest Hour for Earth”.
Background:
i. Earth Hour was initiated by the World Wide Fund of Nature (WWF), formerly the World Wildlife Fund and partners as a symbolic lights-out event in Sydney, Australia, in 2007.
ii. The 1st ever Earth Hour event was observed on 31st March 2007 in Sydney, Australia.
- In the 1st Earth Hour event, more than 2.2 million people and 2,000 businesses switched off their lights for one hour.
Note: As part of the global Earth Hour movement, millions of people in more than 185 countries and territories turn out their lights for one hour to promote environmental protection.
Earth Hour:
i. Earth Hour is established to advocate for energy conservation and carbon footprint reduction.
ii. This occasion serves as a wake-up call for people, communities, and businesses across the world to consider their environmental influence and contribute to the collective efforts to combat climate change.
iii. Earth Hour Logo:
- The standard Earth Hour “60” logo stands for the hour-long event during which we consider the effects of our actions on the environment and take steps to improve them.
iv. Pocoyo, a children’s animated character, is the global kids’ ambassador for earth hour since 2010.
Earth Hour in India:
i. Earth Hour in India was 1st observed on 28th March 2009 and was celebrated by around 5 million people across 58 cities in India.
ii. The campaign witnesses unconditional support from people and organisations across India.
Earth Hour India gets 3 Icons joining as ‘Goodwill Ambassadors for Earth Hour India 2023’:
i. “Goodwill Ambassadors for Earth Hour India 2023” are Padma Shri Awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik, a world-renowned Indian sand artist; Ranveer Brar, celebrity chef and MasterChef India Judge; and Nakash Aziz, a renowned composer and singer.
ii. Three-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej will be the ‘Face of Earth Hour India 2023.’
Note: Amir Khan was the 1st Earth Hour brand ambassador for Earth Hour India.
