The World Is Set to Go Dark for Earth Hour to Raise Awareness on Climate Change

Earth Hour 2015 will roll-out across the globe for the ninth time on March 28 to raise awareness on climate change.

Millions of earth hour participants in 172 countries will turn off lights from 8.30pm to 9.30pm local time showing concerns over environmental issues such as global warming.

This year's theme is ‘Change Climate Change.’

More than 1,200 historic landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the Eiffel Tower in Paris are scheduled to go dark in support of Earth Hour. Around 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Acropolis in Athens and Edinburgh Castle in Scotland will also switch off their lights.

Increasing the frequency and severity of natural disasters, climate change has developed into a massive environmental threat. The devastating effects have already started taking toll on humans and animals.

When we burn fossil fuels including petroleum and natural gas, it releases greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, causing climate change.

To turn things around, the campaigners say that we must use less energy, be more efficient with what we do use. They add that people should switch to low-emission renewable resources like wind, solar or geothermal energy.

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U.N. secretary general Ban Ki-moon in a video supporting the event said that, “Climate change is a people problem. People cause climate change and people suffer from climate change. People can also solve climate change. This December in Paris, the United Nations is bringing nations together to agree a new, universal and meaningful climate agreement. It will be the culmination of a year of action on sustainable development.”

Earth hour campaign asks people to turn off the lights for just one hour in order to send a message that you are concerned over climate change and you expect forward-looking climate change policies from your local and national decision makers. 

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However, the decision on which lights can be safely switched off has to be made individually.

There are a few lights that should not be turned off, including safety lights in public spaces and security lights. Some lights like overhead lights in rooms, decorative lights and advertising lights can be switched off safely during the event.

If you plan on burning candles during the event, you should better use 100% beeswax candles or soy candles, which are smoke free, non-toxic and non-allergenic.

“As Earth Hour continues to break records for global participation, our supporters continue to reach new heights for energy and creativity in using their power to make a difference. Every light switch turned off, every signature collected and every project funded, gives us renewed hope that together we can change climate change,” said Sudhanshu Sarronwala, Chair, Board of Directors, Earth Hour Global.

The World Wide Fund (WWF) started the global movement for Nature as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia in 2007. The international non-governmental organization works on issues regarding the conservation and restoration of the environment.