New Delhi, March 28 (IANS). Earth Hour is the world’s largest mass movement spreading awareness about environmental protection. Earth Hour is celebrated on the last Saturday of the month of March. Today it will be celebrated across the world between 8.30 and 9.30.
Earth Hour appeals to people around the world to turn off unnecessary lights. This campaign asks to dedicate one hour (60 minutes) for the Earth. During this time one is advised to do positive work like saving electricity, planting trees or taking small steps to protect the environment.
Earth Hour started in the year 2007 in Sydney, Australia. This campaign launched by the World Wildlife Fund appeals to people to switch off lights for an hour at night. Initially it was limited to just one city and a few thousand people took part in this campaign, but in the last 19 years this movement has spread all over the world. Today, millions of people participate in it in more than 190 countries and regions.
For this, organizations recommend switching off unnecessary lights of your homes, offices and public places for one hour from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm. This year in 2026, Earth Hour is celebrating its 20th anniversary. For two decades this campaign has become a symbol of collective action and awareness to protect the Earth.
The main objective of this campaign is not to save just one hour of electricity. Its purpose is to make people understand that energy can be used judiciously and responsibly even in everyday life. Saving electricity reduces carbon emissions, which helps control climate change. This small initiative of one hour gives the message of environmental protection on a large scale.
The impact of Earth Hour is increasing every year in India. Famous monuments, government buildings, hotels, malls and private institutions in major cities of the country actively participate in this campaign. Apart from just switching off lights, emphasis is being laid on messages like eco-friendly activities, planting trees, reducing plastic and adopting a sustainable lifestyle. Storytelling and collective action are being promoted at the community level.
–IANS
MT/VC
