Earth Hour is an initiative that began in Sydney on 2007, with over two million homes and businesses shutting off their lights for one hour, in hopes of shedding light (pun intended) on energy issues and global warming.
The following year, 2008, the movement had ballooned globally, with 50 million people across the world, as well as iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and a billboard in Times Square going dark.
This year, Earth Hour, teaming up with WWF, hopes that 1 billion people across the world will flip the switch. “VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet.” Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support for the initiative, and more are expected to join in.
Earth Hour poster, designed by Shephard Fairey (click to download).
Although Earth Hour does save countless kilowatts of energy, what it is more than anything is a powerful visual statement that we all can partake in, voting with our lightswitches and making the world know that we care. Our votes will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.
Go to the site, pledge your participation, and join the dark side.
