Earth Hour: there is now a date for the world to unite for sustainability
The world’s largest event dedicated to raising awareness for the protection of the planet takes place on March 23 in more than 190 countries and territories. In Portugal, local authorities are encouraged to be part of the change.
This year, Earth Hour is marked on March 23 (Saturday) around the world, including in Portugal, between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm (local time). The initiative is promoted by WWF and recognized by the iconic switching off of lights and non-essential electronic devices carried out by millions of people as an incentive to act for a more sustainable planet.
In addition to the date, there is another new feature. Since this Thursday, in the national territory, ANP|WWF has already made available a form for municipalities to register, having direct access to a kit of customizable digital materials (poster, banner and even posts for social networks) to promote this action within the community.
In addition to publicity, local authorities can also participate in the traditional switching off of street lights, monuments and public buildings and/or organizing environmental activities, such as night walks, stargazing, bicycle tours, eco-friendly workshops, yoga, shadow games, and sustainable community dinners, among others.
These complementary actions are very important for ANP|WWF, because, as the executive director, Ângela Morgado, explains, “the blackout is not passive nor does it aim to save energy. The idea is to take advantage of that hour to bring to light a reflection on what we can do for the environment daily.”
And he adds: “The objective of Earth Hour is to put environmental issues on the agenda of local authorities. This is because local authorities — through real, physical and effective proximity — when carrying out collective actions, serve as an example, mobilize and positively influence children and adults to, together, discuss and present solutions and commitments for the future.”
Regarding the evolution of municipalities’ adherence to Earth Hour, Ângela Morgado is categorical: “From 2008 to 2023, we went from 11 to 88 municipalities, which means that governments are increasingly aware of the need to get involved in these issues and to be an active voice and true agents of behaviour change.”
In addition to individuals and municipalities, companies and organizations can also contribute to Earth Hour in different ways — including financing activities — and all information about participation models can be consulted on the website created specifically for this initiative.
Earth Hour is a historic WWF event, which began on March 31, 2007, in Sydney, Australia, when 2.2 million people and more than 2 thousand companies turned off their lights for 60 minutes as a warning about the loss of nature due to climate change and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The success was such that millions of people around the world — individuals, companies, institutions and governments — quickly joined, representing today the largest global movement to defend the environment, with more than 190 countries and territories united through a symbolic gesture. and/or actions that make a difference and inspire.
Portugal was one of the countries that joined in 2008, having already turned off lights in spaces such as Castelo de S. Jorge, Ponte 25 de Abril, Cristo Rei and MAAT (Lisbon), Convento de São Francisco (Azores), Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar (Gaia), S. Bento Station, Arrábida Bridge and Freixo Bridge (Porto), Beja Castle, Sesimbra Castle and Nazaré Lighthouse, among others.
All over the world, every year other emblematic buildings and monuments also go dark for an hour, namely: the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Big Ben in London and the Empire State Building and United Nations headquarters, both in New York.
About ANP|WWF
WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature): globally, it is one of the largest and most respected independent conservation organizations on the planet, with more than 5 million supporters and a global network active in more than 120 countries. The mission of this institution is to stop environmental degradation and build a future in which human beings live in harmony with nature. All this through the conservation of biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable and promoting the reduction of pollution and waste. Despite having been present in Portugal for over 20 years, collaborating on various projects, this organization only acquired legal personality in 2018, when the ANP|WWF was created.
ANP (Associação Natureza Portugal): founded in 2018, this Portuguese NGO works in association with WWF, to conserve biological diversity and national resources, seeking a planet where people can live in harmony with nature.
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