Earth Hour is fast approaching – March 28th, 2020, 8:30pm – 9:30pm local time!
What is Earth Hour?
According to their website, Earth Hour started “as a symbolic lights out event in Sydney in 2007,” and “is now the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment, inspiring millions of people to take action for our planet and nature.”1
Every year during Earth Hour, which is from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm local time, participants switch off their devices, equipment, and the lights on their homes, businesses, and landmarks.
How does Earth Hour contribute to the environment?
Reducing electricity consumption during Earth Hour is mainly symbolic, but according to Alectra Utilities, “their System Control Centres reported a service territory-wide 1.5% per cent electricity consumption reduction between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. on Earth Hour 2018. These results represented a total savings of 43 megawatts (MW) in peak demand, or enough electricity to power 1,314 average-size homes over a 24-hour period.”2
The main objective of Earth Hour is to allow environmentally-friendly people around the world to connect, and to inspire them to take further actions on the fight against climate change.
What can you do in the dark during one hour?
It sounds challenging, but there are tons of things you can do without electricity, away from your devices. Remember, until not very long ago, there were no mobile phones or tablets, and people did OK!
Below are just some ideas of what you can do in the dark:
– have a candlelit dinner
– tell each other stories
– go stargazing
– go out for a walk (but be careful if it’s too dark!)
– have a conversation with your friends and/or family
– have a speech contest
– build a campfire
– play a (non electronic) instrument
– sing songs
– play games
– have a nap
– join an Earth Hour celebration near you
– host your own Earth Hour party
So, what are you going to do during Earth Hour 2019?
Notes:
1. https://www.earthhour.org
2. https://alectrautilities.com/alectra-utilities-reports-less-electricity-used-during-earth-hour
