Cities across the world are joining the global movement to observe Earth Hour, where iconic landmarks are turning off their lights for an hour on Saturday (Mar 23).
Earth Hour is an annual global environmental event organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). It encourages individuals, and communities to turn off non-essential lights and electrical appliances for one hour, typically from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm local time as a commitment to the planet.
The event is aimed to raise awareness about climate change, energy conservation, and sustainability.
Earth Hour began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, and has since grown into a worldwide movement, with millions of people participating each year in over 190 countries and territories.
India observes Earth Hour
As part of this initiative, major landmarks such as India Gate and Akshardham Temple in New Delhi, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, and the renowned Howrah Bridge in Kolkata are dimming their lights.
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This year, the WWF has introduced a campaign urging individuals to dedicate an hour towards eco-positive activities leading up to Earth Day on April 22.
Since its inception in 1970, Earth Day has served as a global platform for environmental advocacy, education, and activism. It reminds us that our planet is not an infinite resource, but a delicate ecosystem that requires our careful stewardship.
“This new campaign approach proves that environmental action can be easy, fun and impactful. By expanding participation to those who are not yet environmentally engaged, we hope to raise awareness and spur collective action in protecting our planet,” WWF’s director of brand engagement and education Katy Fenn said.
(With inputs from agencies)
