On 31st March 2007, Sydney took the media's attention with a dramatic lights out event. This year it's gone global.
In last year's event, 2.2 million people and 2100 Sydney businesses turned off their lights for one hour. This massive collective effort reduced Sydney's energy consumption by 10.2%, which is the equivalent effect of taking 48,000 cars off the road for a year.
With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off, and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.
At 8pm on 29th March we want you to switch off your lights for one hour to inspire people to take action on climate change.
What we really want to highlight is that whilst Earth Hour is a significant and hopefully dramatic event, the key is to take action every hour - by using low energy bulbs, switching off appliances not in use, turning lights off as you leave a room, reducing, reusing and recycling...
At How on Earth we believe in the concept of "think global, act local", which is why we are really pleased to support Southern FM's
Lights Out Sussex Campaign and Green Month.
Not only are they encouraging us all to join in Earth Hour, but they are offering lots of ideas and help on how we can all live more sustainably.
For more information and ideas on how to become part of this global event, the
Earth Hour and
The Future is Manmade websites are packed with helpful ideas. And please sign up to pledge your support.
And don't forget, switch off those lights!