Earth Hour 2019 Inspires Global Awareness and Action on the Importance of Nature

Posté le 29 mars 2019

Earth Hour 2019 Switch-off! Saturday, 30 March at 8:30 pm

On Saturday 30 March 8:30 pm local time, skylines around the world will go dark as millions of people celebrate Earth Hour to show their commitment to protect the planet. As nature declines like never before, coupled with the ever-present challenge of climate change, Earth Hour 2019 will focus on raising awareness on why nature matters and inspiring global action on conserving nature.

From the Eiffel Tower to the Sydney Opera House and the Empire State Building, thousands of landmarks will switch off their lights in solidarity for the planet, to raise the awareness about the importance of nature and encourage individuals, businesses and governments worldwide to be a part of the solutions needed to build a healthy, sustainable future – and planet – for all.

“On one hand we have the moral responsibility to live in harmony with nature, on the other, nature is vitally important to everyone’s daily lives; we depend on it for the food we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink and so much more. But we are pushing the planet to the limit and nature is severely under threat,” said Marco Lambertini, Director General, WWF International. “Earth Hour 2019 is a powerful opportunity to start an unstoppable movement for nature to help secure an international commitment to stop and reverse the loss of nature – a New Deal for Nature and People as comprehensive and ambitious as the global climate deal.”

This year is set to be another important moment for the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment, with more than 150 countries and territories coming together to highlight and invite action on the environmental issues most relevant to them.

In the WWF Danube-Carpathian Region, Earth Hour is among the top annual activities that engage and mobilise people on climate change and energy issues at a personal level. Here, in the Green Heart of Europe, there is a very clear momentum of people taking responsibility for shaping a sustainable future where they can live in harmony with nature.

WWF-Bulgaria has involved a number of top restaurants to offer special Earth Hour Candlelight Dinner events, and is sponsoring a night climb of Cherni Vrah Mountain.

WWF-Slovakia is conducting a momentous #MyEarthHour digital campaign on social media with the involvement of sports and fashion celebrities, actors and musicians challenging people to go beyond EH and adopt more sustainable lifestyles.

WWF-Romania has organised a playful “tag you're it" social media campaign combined with ideas and challenges about what more you can do to save energy.

WWF-Hungary launched a 4 week-long online #földórája2019 challenge with incredible support from celebrities. New corporate partner Lumenet has kindly provided 400 LED package as incentives for participants.

WWF-Ukraine will organise a classical music concert “Music of the Earth” in Kyiv, as well as events with the Scouts across 30+ cities and 4 national parks in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment. The hundreds of initiatives around the world will inspire awareness and action on the importance of nature and if we act now, together, we have the opportunity to protect and improve our way of life.

WWF is partnering with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity to create connect2earth.org where people, companies and organisations can find tools to push for action on nature. Through Earth Hour’s mainstream appeal, the voices of many millions of people around the world will be needed to push nature up the global agenda. People can speak up for the planet by pledging their support on Voice for the Planet calling on world leaders to agree a New Deal for Nature and People. The petition will be presented at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity COP in 2020, when a new set of global targets on nature will be agreed upon by governments.

In recognition of the critical role young people will play in creating a more sustainable world, WWF is also partnering with Zinkia Entertainment Ltd, creators of popular cartoon character Pocoyo, and the World Organization of the Scout Movement to motivate 50 million Scouts worldwide to help tackle the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges.

Everyone can make a difference in protecting nature and it starts right here, right now with Earth Hour 2019. Visit www.earthhour.org to know what is happening for Earth Hour in locations around the world.

Additional Resources:

Earth Hour’s 2019 music video
Earth Hour: Why #naturematters video
Earth Hour 2018 photos
Earth Hour: add your pledge for the planet
To know more about WWF’s work on biodiversity, please visit: http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/biodiversity/

About the Convention on Biological Diversity
Opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and entering into force in December 1993, the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international treaty for the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of the components of biodiversity and the equitable sharing of the benefits derived from the use of genetic resources. With 196 Parties so far, the Convention has near universal participation among countries. The Convention seeks to address all threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services, including threats from climate change, through scientific assessments, the development of tools, incentives and processes, the transfer of technologies and good practices and the full and active involvement of relevant stakeholders including indigenous and local communities, youth, NGOs, women and the business community. For more information visit: www.cbd.int.

About the International Climate Initiative (IKI)
Since 2008, the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) has been financing climate and biodiversity projects in developing and newly industrialising countries, as well as in countries in transition. In the early years of the programme, its financial resources came from the proceeds of auctioning allowances under the emissions trading scheme. To ensure financial continuity, further funds were made available through the Special Energy and Climate Fund. Both funding mechanisms are now part of the Federal Environment Ministry’s regular budget. The IKI is a key element of Germany’s climate financing and the funding commitments in the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Initiative places clear emphasis on climate change mitigation, adaptation to the impacts of climate change and the protection of biological diversity. These efforts provide various co-benefits, particularly the improvement of living conditions in partner countries.

Earth Hour event in Germany