Like most people, I’m always trying to mindful of little changes I can make in my daily life that can have a greater positive impact on the environment, and that’s why I love the global event known as Earth Hour. It’s an initiative that was started in Sydney, Australia in 2007 when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change.
Since then it has become an important part of the global sustainability movement, and this year a record-breaking 131 countries and hundreds of millions of people are set to join the display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas are scheduled to be switched off, and Aussie darling Miranda Kerr is the global ambassador of the event.
The Earth Hour website has lots of information about the events taking place this year around the world, as well as social networking links and interactive ways to show how people and organizations are going “beyond the hour” to extend their commitment to the sustainability movement. I personally like the “lights out” game, lantern project and virtual lightswitch — a few things the kids will love as well.
This year more than ever natural disasters have seemingly become the new “norm” around the globe, and the devastation we’ve all witnessed should inspire a renewed sense of urgency to environmental campaigning. I know it has for me. At 8:30pm on Saturday 26th March 2011, lights will switch off around the globe for Earth Hour — will you be joining the movement?
