The Concept:

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008, the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square, all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. This is a call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing every day.

What you can do:

• Switch off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour, Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm (Your Local Time).
• Tell A Friend. Better still – tell them, your family and even your work mates. Encourage them to sign up.
• Blog about it: Create a blog post about the importance of global action on climate change and how participation in Earth Hour can make a difference. Encourage your visitors to sign up for this initiative and be a part of the movement.
• SMS your friends: Let them know that they too have the power to make a difference!

Who is supporting this?
C40 is a group of the world’s largest cities committed to tackling climate change.  Cities have a central role to play in tackling climate change, particularly as cities bear a disproportional responsibility for causing it. In fact, cities consume 75 per cent of the world’s energy and produce 80 per cent of its greenhouse gas emissions. That is why it is so important for cities to work together, set the agenda on this issue and show leadership on this issue.

Through effective partnership, working with the Clinton Climate Initiative, C40 will help deliver emission reductions and better energy efficiency.

The current chair of the C40 is Mayor David Miller of Toronto.

World Organisation for the Scout Movement
The World Organisation for the Scout Movement, the world’s largest youth movement with more than 28 million members in 160 countries, is mobilising its supporters for Earth Hour on Saturday 28 March: the global expression of a desire for serious and sustained action on climate change.

Climate Savers
Businesses as well as individuals can work to affect climate change. Through the Climate Savers programme, global corporations are working with WWF to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and it’s estimated that by 2010 these emissions will be cut by 14 million tonnes annually.

Join the online movement. Go to http://www.earthhour.in/earth-hour-india.aspx