It started four years ago in Sydney. With Earth Hour upon us again, SBS sheds some light on the hour of power
Earth Hour is a global event where individuals and businesses voluntarily switch off their non-essential lights and electrical appliances for one hour.
It occurs annually on the night of the last Saturday of March and aims to raise awareness of sustainable energy use and the need to take action on climate change.
It is seen as a symbolic gesture toward these ideals, seeking to garner mass interest and participation in the cause.
The Big Flick
The NGO WWF began brainstorming a new event to raise climate change awareness in Australia in 2004. The initial event, which centred on the idea of a large-scale power switch-off, was called “The Big Flick”, later changed to “Earth Hour” in 2007.
An Australian initiative
Earth Hour began in 2007 when 2.2 million Aussies and 2,000 businesses switched off to kick off what was to become a global phenomenon the following year.
By 2008 over 50 million people in over 35 countries were banding together in the darkest hour, and by 2010 the number of countries and territories involved had jumped to 128.
Now not only individuals and companies but global landmarks take part – including Sydney's Harbour Bridge, Rome's Colosseum, the Las Vegas Strip, Egypt's Sphinx and the Big Ben in London.
A global celebration
Around the world, many state leaders and celebrities endorse and help celebrate Earth Hour.
American singer Nelly Furtado held a free concert last year and model Miranda Kerr is an ambassador. The Danish royal palaces switch off annually, and stargazing activities are organised around the world to take advantage of the clear sky and lack of usual 'light pollution'.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard before this year's event said: “Earth Hour has become a special symbol of determination of so many people to make a difference”.
Effects and criticism
Earth Hour has had some lasting effects, such as the decision to turn the power off at America's Mount Rushmore monument at 9pm each night now, instead of 11pm.
However it has been criticised for the "insignificant" impact of switching off for just one hour. An Australian researcher claimed that the reduction of electricity was negligible and therefore Earth Hour is unnecessary.
Earth Hour supporters maintain that the core principle of switching off lights is more important and the principle is more far-reaching that the effects on electricity consumption in the single hour itself.
Earth Hour 2011
Earth Hour will take place on Saturday 26 March from 8:30pm – 9:30pm local times.
This year Earth Hour participants are encouraged to “go beyond the hour” and think about how else they can make a difference. People are encouraged to leave a 'note' of how they will do this on the Beyond the Hour site.
SBS is a partner and sponsor of Earth Hour.
