Show Your Support for Decisive Action on Climate Change: Earth Hour 2009

Earth Hour 2009 is setting new records for concern about climate change, with already twice the participating countries of Earth Hour 2008 signed up.

So far, 375 cities in 74 countries have committed to turning out the lights to raise awareness and show support for taking decisive action on climate change. Mark your calendar now for March 28th, from 8:30 to 9:30 pm, which is only 8 weeks away.

The objective of Earth Hour 2009 is to get as many individuals, households and businesses around the world to turn off their lights and electrical appliances for one hour, with the aim of educating the global community about the threat of climate change. Another message being sent by this action is how easy it is for individuals (and businesses) to make small changes in the way we live and operate in order to make a big difference on a global level.

37 national capitals and some of the great cities of the world have committed to Earth Hour, including London, Beijing, Rome, Moscow, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, Athens, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Sydney, Mexico City, Istanbul, Copenhagen, Manila, Las Vegas, Brussels, Cape Town and Helsinki.

The WWF-sponsored event began as a Sydney, Australia awareness-raising event in 2007, and jumped to an astounding 371 cities across 35 countries participating last year. WWF Director General, Mr James Leape, said he is optimistic about the campaign’s potential to drive key decision making on the issue of climate change. If we can change the world’s collective attitude towards the use of carbon-emitting energy sources, we can help to alleviate the effects of climate change.

“With hundreds more cities expected to sign up to switch off in the coming months, Earth Hour 2009 is setting the platform for an unprecedented global mandate for action on climate change.”

The lights will go out on some of the most recognized landmarks on the planet this year, including Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Table Mountain in Cape Town, Merlion in Singapore, Sydney Opera House, CN Tower in Toronto, Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and the world’s tallest constructed building Taipei 101.

Shepard Fairey, noted for his graphic portrayals of Barack Obama during the Presidential Election, has likened flicking the switch to casting a vote on climate change in his artwork, shown above, for the Earth Hour campaign.

“Earth Hour by its very nature is the essence of grassroots action. This is the opportunity for individuals, from all corners of the globe to unite in a single voice and demand action on climate change.” – Andy Ridley, Earth Hour Executive Director

Because the world’s leaders are meeting at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December, 2009 is a critical year for action on climate change. One of the focuses of the conference is planning a new deal to supersede the Kyoto Protocol. Earth Hour 2009 hopes to deliver a global mandate for environmental reform to those leaders.

We can send the message that we’re serious about taking action. It may seem like a small effort (turning off the lights for an hour) but our combined actions will add up to a powerful statement.

See the Earth Hour website for more information.

Related posts:

1. Earth Hour 2009 – the Good, the Bad and the Real Point of it All
2. Anti Earth Hour Folks Create Human Achievement Hour – Want You to Brush Your Teeth
3. Action Day Saturday-Secretary of State for Climate Change Calls For Eco Activists and Agitators