Earth Hour is a global initiative that was started by the WWF and their partners in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Since then, it has grown into one of the largest grassroots movements for the environment. Earth Hour has become globally recognized and is a symbolic “lights-out” event.
Celebrated every year on the last Saturday of March, Earth Hour engages millions of people across the globe, from over 180 countries, in an attempt to get people to switch off their lights to show support for our planet.
The initial mission was to bring attention to the effects that climate change is having on our planet by doing one small deed. The scale of this movement has sparked global conversations and due to that, the mission has evolved. Now, more than a decade later, Earth Hour has increased awareness around climate change and aims to ensure we also focus on our own health, happiness and survival as a species.
The 2021 year is being dubbed “the year that counts”. This year, there is an opportunity to initiate great change with global leaders coming together in key conferences and forums, like the 15th meeting of the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP 15) which are set to discuss the environmental agenda for the next decade and beyond. Crucial decisions will be made at these conferences related to sustainable development, climate action and nature. These decisions will have a direct impact on the fate of humanity and our planet going forward.
South Africa has been a great participant in Earth hour and often main cities will host lights out events for people to take part in, like cycling around the city using headlights or stargazing. Being based in South Africa and calling the city of Cape Town our new home, the team at Escape Safari Co. felt the need to support this great initiative. However due to the unique situation, we find ourselves in this year, there will be no lights out gatherings or cycling around the city with headlamps. Instead, we will be turning the lights off in our homes, and have conversations around climate change and what we can do to help as individuals and as a company.
Earth Hour, with all of our support, could be a catalyst to putting nature at the centre of these conversations.
** There are many different ways of getting involved in this year's Earth Hour, and you can find information on all of the different ideas to support this initiative on the Earth Hour Website.