The annual event asks people to give up an hour of their day by switching off any non-essential electric lights as a symbol of commitment to our planet. This year the event will be held at 8.30pm on Saturday the 23rd of March. 

Earth Hour began as a collaboration between WWF Australia and the advertising agency, Leo Burnett Sydney. The original aim of the event was to draw attention to the climate emergency and to encourage Australians to get involved with climate action. The first event was held on the 31st of March 2007 in Sydney and was the inspiration for the first international Earth Hour held on the 29th of March 2008.  

The first Earth Hour saw 50 million people across 35 countries turn off their lights, including major landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and the Colosseum. Since then, the event has continued to grow.  

In 2023, they rebranded themselves as the ‘Biggest Hour for Earth’ and have switched their focus from just turning off the lights for the hour to encouraging community action. They are encouraging people to switch off their lights and to pledge an hour of their time to fighting the climate crisis. That year’s event saw 410,000 hours of planet-positive activities pledged as part of the ‘Hour Bank’. 

So, how can you get involved? 

The WWF have put together a series of easy ways that you can get involved with Earth Hour 2024. For example, you can use their calculator to work out your carbon footprint. The short quiz asks a few questions about your food habits, how you travel, what your home is like and your attitude to ‘stuff’. It then produces a short, easy to navigate report giving you hints and tips to help you to reduce your footprint. Click here to get started. 

If you want to spend your hour with friends or family, why not consider cooking a sustainable meal for them? By buying locally sourced, in season produce you can easily reduce the carbon footprint of your meal. A cold March evening seems the perfect time to make a hearty minestrone soup (click here) or to have a nice, warm slice of banana loaf cake (click here). 

If you like the idea of getting out and about in nature, why not restore some nature in your garden? The WWF have put together 5 tips for encouraging nature to thrive in your outdoor space. Click here to view their article. 

Or you could go for a classic Earth Hour and switch of your lights and take some time away from screens and other electrical appliances. Enjoy the down time, play a board game, spend time with your loved ones or even try a bit of stargazing if the weather complies! 

Let us know how you plan on getting involved this Earth Hour 2024.