On Saturday, 28 March, at 8:30pm people in 162 countries around the world will be switching off lights for one hour to highlight the impact of climate change.
Earth hour was started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Since then it has inspired more than 2.2 million individuals and 2,000 businesses across 7,000 cities worldwide to turn their lights out, as a symbol of their commitments towards the movement.
Earth Hour is a charitable organisation based in Singapore and an open source movement organised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and other volunteer organisations worldwide.
When is Earth Hour 2015?
Earth Hour 2015 will be observed on Saturday, 28 March, between 8:30pm and 9:30pm worldwide as per their local time zones. The Earth Hour's goal this year is not only to achieve measurable electricity savings, but also raise awareness of the need for sustainable energy use.
Why Should You Observe Earth Hour?
The Earth Hour is not a blackout, but a voluntary action by its participants to show their commitment to an act of change that benefits the planet.
For the worldwide movement, this year starting 5 March, the Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central has been switching off all non-essential lights for one hour every day. Their aim is to save 2,30,000 kWh in energy by 28 March.
It is said that the campaign in Dubai will help save enough energy to power an average home for approximately 15 years, an equivalent to 159 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions.
This year for Earth Hour 170 countries including 1,200 landmarks and close to 40 UNESCO world heritage sites will be turning their lights off for an hour to participate in the movement.
For one hour worldwide, starting from the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, the Acropolis in Athens, Edinburgh Castle, Big Ben, Ecuador's Quito historical centre, New York's Times Square and the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be covered in darkness.
Earth Hour 2015 - Around the World
There is a host of activities and events that will be taking place across the globe.
The Philippines will be holding a glow-in-the-dark Zumba party during the Earth Hour, while Finland will hold a coordinated candle-lit dinner billed as the world's largest. Similarly, all restaurants in London have promised to have candle-light dinners and France will have a power-generating dance floor to light up the Eiffel Tower after its hour-long sleep.
India too will observe Earth Hour with candle light vigils from 8:30pm to 9:30pm on 28 March.
