FAQs

1. What is Earth Hour?

Earth Hour, organized by WWF, is a global grassroots movement uniting people to take action on environmental issues and protect the planet. Engaging a massive mainstream community, Earth Hour was famously started as a lights out event in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Since then, it has grown to engage millions of supporters in more than 185 countries and territories, inspiring individuals and organizations worldwide to take action for the environment, and driving major legislative changes by harnessing the power of the crowd. As the movement grows, the one-hour lights out event continues to be the symbol of a broader commitment toward nature and our planet.

2. When does Earth Hour take place?

While WWF projects and individual actions under the Earth Hour movement continue throughout the year, the annual Earth Hour lights out event is held worldwide toward the end of March to encourage individuals, households, communities and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour as a symbol for their commitment to the planet.

3. Is Earth Hour an annual event?

Earth Hour is more than an annual event – it is a movement that culminates in an hour of inspiration held around the world toward the end of March each year.

4. How long has Earth Hour been going for?

The first Earth Hour event was held on 31 March 2007. WWF-Australia inspired Sydney-siders to show their support for climate action. More than 2.2 million individuals and 2,000 businesses turned their lights out for one hour in the first Earth Hour event.

5. What does Earth Hour ask people to do?

The first thing anyone can do to get involved is to turn off their lights during Earth Hour. But there is much, much more. Our objective is for people to take action beyond the hour, whether it is supporting a local WWF project or getting involved in Earth Hour campaigns in their own country, or starting the movement in their own community. The vision is always to do more, so make the light switch the beginning of your journey.

6. What does Earth Hour aim to achieve?

For the past 10 years, people around the world have come together every Earth Hour to support efforts to tackle climate change. And, together, we have created a powerful movement that helped deliver strong global commitments to tackling this threat. Climate change remains a big challenge for us all.

But another urgent threat now demands our attention: the staggering loss of biodiversity and nature. Earth Hour today endeavors to spark global conversations on protecting nature not only because it is our strongest ally against to the climate crisis - but also because of its importance in ensuring our own health, happiness, prosperity and even survival.

7. What does a commitment to Earth Hour mean?

By registering for Earth Hour, individuals, communities and businesses are making a commitment to turn their lights off for an hour in acknowledgement of an act they will undertake for the benefit of the planet. We hope that these individuals, communities and businesses will take action beyond the hour through Earth Hour, WWF and/or other environmental organizations and initiatives.

8. Why is Earth Hour the event held in late March?

The second-to-last and last weekend of March is around the time of the Spring and Autumn equinoxes in the northern and southern hemispheres respectively, which allows for near coincidental sunset times in both hemispheres, thereby ensuring the greatest visual impact for a global ‘lights out’ event.

9. What has Earth Hour achieved since the movement began?

WWF-Uganda created the world’s first Earth Hour Forest
More than 250,000 Russians voiced support for better protection of their country’s seas and forests
Argentina used its 2013 Earth Hour campaign to help pass a Senate bill for a 3.4 million hectares Marine Protected Area in the country
Thousands of wood-saving stoves were distributed to families in Madagascar
Solar-powered lights were installed in three villages without electricity in India
In Paraguay, WWF used the Earth Hour platform to build public support to gain an extension of the logging moratorium, helping to reduce deforestation
Education programs for schools were launched in Thailand and Taiwan
Hundreds of thousands of LED lights were installed by girl scouts in the USA
More than 2,123 mitigation actions submitted by Earth Hour City Challenge 2014 participating cities

But this is just the start. There are so many more Earth Hour stories out there we’re still discovering, and of course much more to do.

10. What does the Earth Hour logo mean?

The standard Earth Hour '60' logo represents the 60 minutes of Earth Hour where we focus on the impact we are having on our planet and take positive action to address the environmental issues we face. For Earth Hour 2011, the ‘60+’ logo was introduced representing a commitment to add to Earth Hour a positive act for the planet that goes beyond the hour. Take up the ‘plus’ and get involved with the movement beyond the hour.

11. I'm new to Earth Hour, where can I start?

Read our "Take Part" page and explore all the different ways you can get involved - you can do much more than just switching off your lights! If you want to organize your own Earth Hour event in your community, business, or organisation, check out our "Organize An Event" page.

12. Who can participate?

Earth Hour is a campaign for anyone and everyone who wants to help make our planet – and our future - better.

13. I represent a hotel. What is the best way for my organisation to celebrate Earth Hour?

We have a dedicated guide for Hotels, containing everything you need to know about running an Earth Hour - tips and tricks, email templates for staff and partners, going beyond the hour and more - specially for hotels.

14. Does Earth Hour welcome the support of other NGOs (Non-Government Organisations) and NFP's (Not for Profits)?

Absolutely. In fact, the success of Earth Hour would not be possible without the support of other NGOs and NFPs. Global organizations such as the World Organization of the Scout Movement and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts have been pivotal in spreading the Earth Hour message, while in some countries where there is no WWF presence, Earth Hour campaigns are orchestrated entirely by other NGOs and NFPs.

15. Do you have requirements or regulations about who can or cannot partner with Earth Hour?

Any partner must uphold and support the aims and principles of Earth Hour. These include encouraging individual and community engagement on environmental issues. Encouraging conscious decisions to change the way we live in order to affect environmental reform, without the use of scare tactics or shaming. The specific decisions about whether or not to partner with a group or corporation are made at local level by Earth Hour country and city teams based on what suits their needs and community in achieving the goals of Earth Hour.

16. Whose idea was Earth Hour?

Earth Hour came from a think tank initiated by Earth Hour Co-Founder, Andy Ridley, resulting in the formation of a partnership between WWF-Australia, Leo Burnett and Fairfax Media to address the climate change issue.

In 2007, there was still a degree of skepticism and denial on the issue of climate change. Earth Hour came as the inspiration to rally people to the reality of climate change and start a dialogue about what we as individuals can do to help address the planet’s biggest environmental challenge yet. Leo Burnett partnered with WWF to promote the idea and help make the campaign a reality in Sydney, a campaign which has now gone beyond Australia and climate change to symbolize the growing global pursuit of a better, sustainable future for all.

17. What is Earth Hour’s relationship with WWF?

Earth Hour is an initiative of WWF. In 2007, WWF initiated Earth Hour as a way of engaging a broad section of society in the environmental issues challenging citizens across the world. WWF embraced the idea of an open source campaign that would allow communities and organizations to become part of a global movement to protect our planet.

18. Back to the event. Isn't switching the lights off dangerous? What about public safety?

Earth Hour only asks people to turn off any non-essential lights for one hour - not lights that affect public safety. Earth Hour is also a celebration of the planet so It is important to enjoy the moment in a safe environment.

19. How can I do more for Earth Hour than just switching off my lights?

You can plan your own Earth Hour event with the help of the our starter kits!

20. How many cities/countries/landmarks took part in Earth Hour 2018?

A record-breaking 188 countries and territories took part in Earth Hour 2018, with about 17,900 participating landmarks. Millions of people switched their lights off for an hour, and the Earth Hour 2018 campaign saw #EarthHour and #Connect2Earth trend on Twitter in 33 countries!

21. If everyone turns their lights back on at the same time will there be a power surge?

People celebrate Earth Hour in a variety of ways for different lengths of time, with many continuing to keep their lights off well beyond the designated hour. After all these years, it is clear everyone usually does not switch their lights back on simultaneously.

22. Earth Hour is advertised all over the world. Does Earth Hour pay for this advertising?

WWF’s Earth Hour secures millions of dollars of free advertising space with the help of partners such as Starcom, Discovery Networks International and many others. Earth Hour’s advice to teams around the world running local campaigns is to only seek either pro-bono or if absolutely necessary, low-bono advertising space.

23. Aren't you using a lot of electricity and resources to promote this event?

Earth Hour takes every effort to minimize our footprint, not just for the hour but also all year round. We strive to ensure emissions from our team and different campaigns are offset and all participants are encouraged to think sustainably when planning or organizing events.

24. What energy/carbon reductions have resulted from Earth Hour in previous years?

Earth hour does not claim that the event is an energy or carbon reduction exercise - it is a symbolic action. Therefore, we do not engage in the measurement of energy or carbon reduction levels. Earth Hour is an initiative to encourage individuals, businesses and governments around the world to take accountability for their ecological footprint and engage in dialogue and resource exchange that provides real solutions to our environmental challenges. Participation in Earth Hour symbolizes a commitment to change beyond the hour.

25. Will my city go completely black during the event?

Earth Hour is not a black out. It is a voluntary action by its participants to show their commitment to an act of change that benefits the planet. For many businesses in city skyscrapers or for many government buildings, the lights are turned off at the end of the business day the Friday before Earth Hour. So, Earth Hour is more of a fade-out in some ways than a black out. There is usually no instant dramatic difference, but rather a gradual dimming of lights starting the day prior. Many major landmarks and neon signs are switched off for the hour and they are extremely noticeable. You may be able to see dramatic changes in large business districts or at iconic landmarks and buildings around the world and in your city.

1. What is Earth Hour?

2. When does Earth Hour take place?

3. Is Earth Hour an annual event?

Earth Hour is more than an annual event – it is a movement that culminates in an hour of inspiration held around the world toward the end of March each year.

4. How long has Earth Hour been going for?

5. What does Earth Hour ask people to do?

6. What does Earth Hour aim to achieve?

7. What does a commitment to Earth Hour mean?

8. Why is Earth Hour the event held in late March?

9. What has Earth Hour achieved since the movement began?

WWF-Uganda created the world’s first Earth Hour Forest
More than 250,000 Russians voiced support for better protection of their country’s seas and forests
Argentina used its 2013 Earth Hour campaign to help pass a Senate bill for a 3.4 million hectares Marine Protected Area in the country
Thousands of wood-saving stoves were distributed to families in Madagascar
Solar-powered lights were installed in three villages without electricity in India
In Paraguay, WWF used the Earth Hour platform to build public support to gain an extension of the logging moratorium, helping to reduce deforestation
Education programs for schools were launched in Thailand and Taiwan
Hundreds of thousands of LED lights were installed by girl scouts in the USA
More than 2,123 mitigation actions submitted by Earth Hour City Challenge 2014 participating cities

But this is just the start. There are so many more Earth Hour stories out there we’re still discovering, and of course much more to do.

10. What does the Earth Hour logo mean?

11. I'm new to Earth Hour, where can I start?

12. Who can participate?

Earth Hour is a campaign for anyone and everyone who wants to help make our planet – and our future - better.

13. I represent a hotel. What is the best way for my organisation to celebrate Earth Hour?

14. Does Earth Hour welcome the support of other NGOs (Non-Government Organisations) and NFP's (Not for Profits)?

15. Do you have requirements or regulations about who can or cannot partner with Earth Hour?

16. Whose idea was Earth Hour?

17. What is Earth Hour’s relationship with WWF?

18. Back to the event. Isn't switching the lights off dangerous? What about public safety?

19. How can I do more for Earth Hour than just switching off my lights?

You can plan your own Earth Hour event with the help of the our starter kits!

20. How many cities/countries/landmarks took part in Earth Hour 2018?

21. If everyone turns their lights back on at the same time will there be a power surge?

22. Earth Hour is advertised all over the world. Does Earth Hour pay for this advertising?

23. Aren't you using a lot of electricity and resources to promote this event?

24. What energy/carbon reductions have resulted from Earth Hour in previous years?

25. Will my city go completely black during the event?

26. Will Earth Hour events take place this year, given the threat of the COVID-19 (coronavirus)?

The well-being and health of our supporters and staff is our top priority. Many countries are currently facing a health crisis with the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives from this outbreak and our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones or who are sick. Given the unprecedented circumstances, the Earth Hour global organizing team is advising that Earth Hour is celebrated digitally this year but countries should decide what to do for the best in line with national guidelines.

There are many ways to encourage participation online or at home so your communities can show support for the planet on and around the hour. If you are planning an Earth Hour event online in your own community, here are some great ideas. If you do decide to continue with an on-the-ground Earth Hour event, please closely follow national health guidelines on hosting large public events and make a decision based on the advice provided by your country's Ministry of Health.

Wherever you are, you can help make this year's Earth Hour bigger than ever by speaking up for nature loss and and showing your support online by adding your Voice for the Planet. Please ask your family and friends to do the same.

Earth Hour has always been a people-led movement. The well-being and health of our supporters and staff is our top priority. We stand in solidarity and support of our global communities and encourage all participants to celebrate Earth Hour safely.

27. Do you think it is appropriate to celebrate Earth Hour when the world is facing a global health crisis? Why doesn’t WWF simply cancel Earth Hour?

The well-being and health of our supporters and staff is our top priority. In the midst of the COVID 19 health crisis, we need to stand together now more than ever to safeguard our future and the future of our planet. Earth Hour 2020 is more than a symbolic event, it is a global environmental movement to stop the destruction of nature on which our health, happiness and future prosperity depends. Nature is the planet’s life support system and gives us everything we need; from the air we breathe, the water we drink, to the food we eat. The link between nature and good health has been well documented. Even spending two hours a week in nature is known to lead to better health. Nature underpins our life, health and well-being but it is in a crisis! Now is not the time to pause our collective work, but a time to respond more creatively, work more collaboratively, and listen and adapt more effectively.

We are therefore advising that communities celebrate Earth Hour digitally this year and follow national health guidelines on attending and hosting public events. Whichever way you, your community, your family or your friends choose to celebrate Earth Hour this year, we can still raise our collective voices to secure a New Deal for Nature and People, even if this year, we are doing it from the safety of our homes. Show your support online by adding your Voice for the Planet. Please ask your family and friends to do the same.

Some of the countries celebrating Earth Hour digitally are in fact hosting virtual events as exciting and ambitious as our physical events. Stay tuned for more updates on this page to find out more.

28. What is WWF’s message to the thousands of gatherings planned for Earth Hour? NEW!

The health and safety of your community should be your first priority. Please follow these best practice guidelines:

The Earth Hour global organising team advises that communities celebrate Earth Hour digitally this year. There are many ways to encourage participation online or at home to show support for the planet on and around the hour - here are some great ideas.
If you decide to host an Earth Hour on-ground event, you should always closely follow national health guidelines on hosting public events and make a decision based on the advice provided by your Ministry of Health. And remember, your attendees may have concerns. You can reassure them by providing them with the latest information, based on national health guidelines.
We recommend you continue monitoring and following national health guidelines closely as circumstances are dynamic and can change on a daily basis. It would be good to have contingency plans in place in the case of an on ground event cancellation. Do also prepare a communication plan to keep participants and partners informed. Ensure timely and transparent communication.

Whichever way you, your family or your friends choose to participate in Earth Hour this year, your collective voices are vitally important. Together, we must secure a New Deal for Nature and People to protect and restore nature for people and the planet.

FAQS

1. What is Earth Hour?

2. When does Earth Hour take place?

3. Is Earth Hour an annual event?

4. How long has Earth Hour been going for?

5. What does Earth Hour ask people to do?

6. What does Earth Hour aim to achieve?

7. What does a commitment to Earth Hour mean?

8. Why is Earth Hour the event held in late March?

9. What has Earth Hour achieved since the movement began?

10. What does the Earth Hour logo mean?

11. I'm new to Earth Hour, where can I start?

12. Who can participate?

13. I represent a hotel. What is the best way for my organisation to celebrate Earth Hour?

14. Does Earth Hour welcome the support of other NGOs (Non-Government Organisations) and NFP's (Not for Profits)?

15. Do you have requirements or regulations about who can or cannot partner with Earth Hour?

16. Whose idea was Earth Hour?

17. What is Earth Hour’s relationship with WWF?

18. Back to the event. Isn't switching the lights off dangerous? What about public safety?

19. How can I do more for Earth Hour than just switching off my lights?

20. How many cities/countries/landmarks took part in Earth Hour 2018?

21. If everyone turns their lights back on at the same time will there be a power surge?

22. Earth Hour is advertised all over the world. Does Earth Hour pay for this advertising?

23. Aren't you using a lot of electricity and resources to promote this event?

24. What energy/carbon reductions have resulted from Earth Hour in previous years?

25. Will my city go completely black during the event?

1. What is Earth Hour?

2. When does Earth Hour take place?

3. Is Earth Hour an annual event?

4. How long has Earth Hour been going for?

5. What does Earth Hour ask people to do?

6. What does Earth Hour aim to achieve?

7. What does a commitment to Earth Hour mean?

8. Why is Earth Hour the event held in late March?

9. What has Earth Hour achieved since the movement began?

10. What does the Earth Hour logo mean?

11. I'm new to Earth Hour, where can I start?

12. Who can participate?

13. I represent a hotel. What is the best way for my organisation to celebrate Earth Hour?

14. Does Earth Hour welcome the support of other NGOs (Non-Government Organisations) and NFP's (Not for Profits)?

15. Do you have requirements or regulations about who can or cannot partner with Earth Hour?

16. Whose idea was Earth Hour?

17. What is Earth Hour’s relationship with WWF?

18. Back to the event. Isn't switching the lights off dangerous? What about public safety?

19. How can I do more for Earth Hour than just switching off my lights?

20. How many cities/countries/landmarks took part in Earth Hour 2018?

21. If everyone turns their lights back on at the same time will there be a power surge?

22. Earth Hour is advertised all over the world. Does Earth Hour pay for this advertising?

23. Aren't you using a lot of electricity and resources to promote this event?

24. What energy/carbon reductions have resulted from Earth Hour in previous years?

25. Will my city go completely black during the event?

26. Will Earth Hour events take place this year, given the threat of the COVID-19 (coronavirus)?

27. Do you think it is appropriate to celebrate Earth Hour when the world is facing a global health crisis? Why doesn’t WWF simply cancel Earth Hour?

28. What is WWF’s message to the thousands of gatherings planned for Earth Hour? NEW!

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