What is Earth Hour?

Earth Hour is an annual international lights-out event organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which asks individuals, businesses and governments around the world to turn off their lights for one hour to raise awareness about the need for urgent climate change action.

Last year, over 13 million Canadians turned off their lights for Earth Hour. This year, Earth Hour is happening on Saturday, March 23 between 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM.

Earth Hour is not just about switching off lights for one hour once a year. It’s about giving people a voice and working together to create a better future for our planet. Many participants are going beyond the hour to commit to lasting action for the planet. It’s a bit like an Environmental New Year, providing a chance to reflect on how our planet is faring and what we can do to help.

Not only is Earth Hour your chance to be part of a global phenomenon, it’s a great opportunity to look at what you can do reduce your carbon emissions. For example, you can:

• Use less energy every day by turning off your computer monitor when you leave your desk and unplugging the chargers for your cell phones and other devices when you’re not using them
• Use energy more efficiently in your home by washing your clothes in cold water and replace your appliances with Energy Star model when it’s time for a new one
• Use renewable energy to meet your household needs, like installing a solar water heating system or switching to a green power supplier

Info courtesy of wwf.ca/earthhour. Visit the website to learn more.