Earth Hour Movement Takes Place Virtually Due to COVID-19

Over the years, the Earth Hour (also known as the lights-off moment) has seen entire streets, buildings, landmarks, and city skylines go dark—an unmissable sight that has drawn public attention to nature loss and the climate crisis. Earth Hour was developed as a symbolic way to increase awareness about climate change and teach people that small actions such as powering down for 60 minutes go a long way. The World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) embraced the idea of an open source campaign that would allow communities and organizations to become part of a global movement to protect the planet.

Earth Hour is taking place on Saturday, March 27 at 8:30 P.M. EDT, in an attempt to increase awareness and spark global conversations on protecting nature not only to combat the climate crisis but to ensure our general health, happiness, prosperity, and survival in the long run. Individuals across the world partake in Earth Hour by turning off their lights for Earth Hour as a symbolic gesture to their commitment to our planet’s preservation.

Sydney, Australia, a city that participated in both the 2007 and 2008 Earth Hours, cut electricity consumption by 8.4% during that time period. Earth Hour is organized annually by the WWF on the last Saturday of March since 2007. Since then, the movement has garnered millions of participants worldwide, all aiming to draw attention to the climate crisis and the gradual deterioration of the planet.

This year, WWF is hosting a virtual guided meditation led by internationally celebrated yoga teacher and scholar Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts. The purpose of this meditation is to create a moment of solitude during busy times, practice gratitude for our planet and its services, and reflect on our commitment to saving Earth.

To maintain tradition, WWF is making a call for an hour of “change” for planet Earth, inviting all to turn their lights and electrical appliances off on Saturday, March 27, from 8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. EDT to sit back, listen, and reflect.

Earth Hour 2021 will be a spotlight moment that puts nature at the center of international conversations. Many believe that this is a good opportunity to speak up and show world leaders and other decision-makers around the globe that nature matters and urgent actions must be taken to reverse nature loss.

As part of the main event this year, a webinar will be held on April 1 between 8.30 p.m. and 9.30 P.M. EDT with representatives of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) reiterating their call for Turkey to approve the Paris climate deal and show its commitment to fighting the climate crisis.

Those who would like to register for Earth Hour, which is sponsored by Garanti BBVA and Panasonic Life Solutions Turkey, can do so through www.dunyasaati.org.

“We are the first generation to experience the tangible effects of the climate crisis, which can be felt more and more each passing day. But (we are also) the last generation that can stop this deterioration,” said Aslı Pasinli, General Manager at WWF Turkey.

Pasinli mentioned that Turkey is located in the Mediterranean Basin, one of the regions projected to experience the most severe effects of the climate crisis, especially through drought and ocean warming.

Calls for Turkey to hopefully create an integrated climate policy in line with a strong emission reduction target and adopting a coal phase-out.

“If we do not act today, we will face even more severe effects of the climate crisis in the not so distant future. So, let’s turn off the lights during Earth Hour and listen to the voice of the planet for an hour and to the call for change,” said Asli Pasinli.

Through Teen Lenses: Have you heard that Earth Hour on March 27? What do you think about it?

“Yes, I’ve seen some posts on Instagram about Earth Hour. I think it’s a really cool way to raise awareness of the increasingly apparent climate crisis. Our generation is greatly affected and we should do our part to put an end to this.” Radha Vinayak, 15, Sophomore at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Oakton, VA

“I think a friend mentioned Earth Hour. I want to participate in it this year. It’s a really good way to learn about how we can help our community and how small actions will make a big difference in the long run.” Ridhi Pendyala, 15, Sophomore at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Centreville, VA

“No, I don’t know a lot about Earth Hour. It sounds like it would be a really powerful movement. I’m surprised that it’s only been going on since 2007. I like how it’s a simple thing that we can all do, but the fact that we’re doing it together will be enough motivation to get people to join us. This is a really important issue.” Kritika Khati, 15, Sophomore at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Fairfax, VA