WWF’s Earth Hour will be Observed on 23 March

Earth Hour is an annual global event observed on the last Saturday of March to raise awareness about climate change and promote energy conservation. This year, it is scheduled to be observed on March 23 from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm (IST). 

• The event, initiated and organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), urges people worldwide to turn off lights and electrical appliances for an hour. 
• For its 18th edition, people from 190 countries and territories are expected to participate by switching off non-essential lights. 
• Last year, India saw significant participation, with over 150 landmarks, monuments, government buildings, educational institutions, and corporate offices turning off lights for an hour on March 25. 
• WWF-India also organized 13 cyclothons nationwide, which attracted over 2,000 participants.

Earth Hour’s History

• In 2007, Earth Hour emerged as a grassroots movement in Sydney, Australia, initiated by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Australia and its partners. 
• The concept was simple: encourage individuals to switch off lights for an hour to show support for climate action.
•  The first Earth Hour witnessed an impressive turnout, with millions of individuals and thousands of businesses and landmarks participating. Since then, Earth Hour has transformed into a global phenomenon, with people from over 190 countries joining in.
• During Earth Hour, participants turn off non-essential lights and electrical appliances for one hour, commencing at 8:30 PM local time. 
• This hour serves as a reminder of the collective impact that small actions can have on the planet. It's an opportunity for reflection, unity, and dedication to creating a positive impact in the fight against climate change.

Importance of Earth Hour

• Earth Hour is more than just an hour of saving electricity; it's a powerful message to the world. By participating, individuals demonstrate their concern for the environment and their willingness to take action. 
• This event provides an opportunity to show solidarity with others who share a commitment to sustainability and protecting the planet for future generations.
• While simply turning off lights for an hour may not directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions or prevent the use of fossil fuels, it allows for reflection and contemplation on actions that contribute to a healthier planet. 
• This is a chance to reflect on personal efforts to protect the environment and set goals for future endeavors.
• Earth Hour recognizes the importance of individual contributions in addressing environmental issues and leverages the collective strength of its millions of supporters to advocate for change.

About WWF

• The inception of the World Wildlife Fund occurred in April of 1961, with its establishment following in September of the same year at the headquarters of the IUCN in Morges, Switzerland. 
• The organization's inaugural president was H.R.H. Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. 
• In 1976, WWF and IUCN collaborated to create TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring network committed to safeguarding the conservation of nature by preventing the trade of wild plants and animals from posing a threat. 
• WWF launched its Living Planet Campaign in 1997, which aimed to preserve the planet's biodiversity through a new vision. 
• Additionally, in 2007, WWF organized the first-ever Earth Hour in Sydney, Australia.