Earth Hour - Let's Switch Off

Did you know Earth Hour started in our beautiful Australia in Sydney in 2007 to demonstrate the power of collective action? In one hour, thousands of buildings and landmarks around the world switched off their lights to raise awareness about climate change. This year, in 2022 the theme is to ‘Switch off and #ShapeOurFuture’.

The idea behind Earth Hour is to raise awareness about climate change and encourage people to lead more sustainable lives. It's about more than just saving energy for one hour, it’s about making people conscious of the choices they make every day.

The campaign has grown into a global movement that's supported by millions of people in more than 180 countries and territories. More than 180 countries have taken part in Earth Hour across seven continents, with iconic landmarks switching off their lights to show support, including the Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building, Great Pyramids of Giza, Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Singapore Flyer and Table Mountain. In Australia, Sydney's Opera House and Harbour Bridge have gone dark for Earth Hour since 2007.

Participants are encouraged to conserve energy not just for an hour but also every day. Earth Hour is an opportunity to start a conversation about how we can make small changes that collectively create a big impact on the world.

Why should you participate in Earth Hour?

The goal is simple: To encourage people around the world to think about what they can do to reduce their environmental impact and protect our planet. It's not just about switching off your lights for an hour — it's about taking a moment to reflect on what you can do every day to reduce your environmental footprint and protect our planet.

You can get involved by:

Switching off all the lights (and unplugging appliances) from 8:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., local time, wherever you live. You might need to light some candles or use flashlights if it gets too dark, which is part of the fun. At first glance, the challenge of Earth Hour might seem a bit silly. After all, you’re only turning off your lights for an hour (or less) on one night each year! But this small act can make a big difference. Make this fun, get your family and friends involved. You could play boardgames with candles and flashlights. Play charades! Put on some comfy activewear - we recommend our leggings and tank top for ultimate comfort and put on some soothing music and meditate or do yoga! The list is endless!

When you turn the lights off and take your time to reflect on how you can make a difference, you’ll be joining the global movement for climate change. You’ll also be igniting a dialogue about what you can do to help secure our planet for the future.

Here are just a few examples of how you can be more sustainable and raise awareness of Earth Hour:

• Speaking up about climate change to your friends and family - better yet, refer them to WWF Australia so they can read about the changes they can make.
• Reducing your electricity usage - turn off lights and electronics when not in use! 
• Cutting down on water usage in your household.
• Take a five minute shower (or start small and reduce your shower time by a minute each day).
• Use public transportation.
• Turn off all lights when leaving a room.
• Recycle whenever, wherever you can.
• Take a keep cup when you go out to buy coffee.
• If you're able, invest in solar panels for your home or business. You'll be saving money on your electricity bill while also reducing your carbon footprint!

So will you be joining us tonight at 8.30pm - 9.30pm to Switch Off and #ShapeOurFuture’?