"WWF’s Earth Hour 2009 has been the largest demonstration of public concern about climate change ever attempted.”
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Earth Hour started in Sydney, Australia, two years ago and is now the largest event of its kind in the world.
In 2008 more than 50 million people participated and the lights went out at the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Sydney Opera House and the Coliseum in Rome, just to name a few. Even Google’s homepage went black for the day!The global participation in Earth Hour 2009 was overwhelming with millions of people in 88 countries taking part. A dazzling roster of celebrities took up the cause, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, Cate Blanchett, Edward Norton, Alanis Morrisette and Coldplay.
Earth Hour 2010 took place on 27 March and for the second year running the participation in South Africa was tremendous with between 1 and 4 million South Africans taking part, according to estimates from Eskom.
Globally, millions of people in 4,000 cities and towns across a record 126 countries took part in Earth Hour 2010, the biggest mass action ever.
Earth Hour was visually stunning with many of the world’s best-known icons going dark, including the Great Pyramids of Egypt, the Acropolis, the Eiffel Tower, Rio's Christ the Redeemer, and Cape Town’s Table Mountain. Cape Town Stadium and Moses Mabhida stadium also joined the swtich-off event as well as the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Earth Hour is about citizens from around the world taking part in a symbolic action sending a powerful message to world leaders that we need urgent action on climate change.
Climate change demands a collective response and we are also encouraging people and businesses to reduce their own carbon footprint.
Click here for the best tips on how to change your lifestyle to a planet-friendly one.