Earth Hour

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Earth Hour

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Founded:

31 March 2007

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Website:

http://www.earthhour.org

Company Overview:

On 29 March 2008, millions of people in some of the world’s biggest cities including Copenhagen, Toronto, Chicago, Melbourne, Brisbane, Tel Aviv and Manila will unite and switch off for one hour - Earth Hour - sending a powerful national and global message that it's possible to take action on global warming.

In 2008, major cities around the world will join us in taking a stand on the greatest threat our planet has ever faced, uniting millions of people to turn the tide on global warming.

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May 13

Earth Hour wrote a note.

7:00pm

Earth Hour 2009 date!

Its hard to believe Earth Hour 2008 was 1.5 months ago. Already the Earth Hour team has put their thinking hats on and are planning for Earth Hour 2009! So when is Earth Hour 2009? Well, in 2009 it falls on Saturday, March 28, 2009.

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Earth Hour News

Canberra leads the way for Earth Hour

Mllions of Australians joined Earth Hour on Saturday March 29, between 8.00pm and 9.00pm by flicking the switch, turning appliances off stand-by and enjoying an hour of quiet darkness.

Residents and businesses across Canberra showed their support for Earth Hour resulting in an impressive 11.4 per cent drop in electricity consumption for the hour, according to ActewAGL.

Canberra also led the nation with an outstanding 73 per cent participating in Earth Hour, according to research company AMR Interactive.

AMR Interactive surveyed close to 3,400 Australians and found 58 per cent participated in Earth Hour by switching off lights, turning off computers, televisions and other household appliances.

“The overwhelming support for Earth Hour from Australians across the country has amazed us and shows the willingness of both business and individuals to start cutting emissions,” said WWF-Australia Earth Hour Director, Andy Ridley.

"It shows Australia is committed to reducing the threats linked to global warming and we have proved by acting together we can start to make a difference. By Earth Hour 2009, on March 28 we expect more Australians will have incorporated simple energy efficient solutions into their homes and workplace. Its important we keep the momentum going for a greener and sustainable future.” Mr Ridley said.

ActewAGL CEO John Mackay said, “The local community should be extremely proud of the 11.4 per cent electricity reduction during Earth Hour. This energy saving represents a reduction of 36 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions – the equivalent of taking 8.4 cars off the road for an entire year.

“To congratulate Canberra, we would like to confirm our pledge to purchase enough green energy to offset the remaining essential electricity used by the city during Earth Hour – the equivalent of taking a further 65 cars off the road for a year.

“I am confident the Earth Hour message will live beyond the event itself, with long-term commitments being made by individuals, businesses and governments to save energy into the future.”

58 per cent of Aussie adults participate in Earth Hour

Sydney, March 30, 2008: Millions of Australian residents joined Earth Hour last night, Saturday March 29 between 8.00 and 9.00pm by flicking the switch, turning appliances off stand-by and enjoying an hour of quiet darkness, according to AMR Interactive.

Research consultants AMR Interactive interviewed thousands of Australian adults living in each capital city to see how Australians celebrated Earth Hour.

The polling showed that 58 per cent of Australian adults in capital cities took part in the lights off campaign that started in Sydney last year and this year went global with more than 370 cities, towns and council areas taking part.

The research showed that respondents participated in Earth Hour in a number of ways including turning off the lights at home (56%), turning off some household appliances (46%), and taking the mobile phone off charger off standby (37%).

"The overwhelming support for Earth Hour from Australians across the country has amazed us and shows the willingness of both business and individuals to start cutting emissions," said WWF-Australia Earth Hour Director, Andy Ridley.

"The polling only targeted people over 18 years of age and, given the popularity of Earth Hour among kids, the actual number of participants is likely to be much higher."

Earth Hour was initiated by WWF-Australia and started in 2007. It is now an international event, with more than 370 cities, towns and councils across the world taking part. Kicking off in Christchurch, New Zealand, Earth Hour rolled through 14 time zones, wrapping up in San Francisco, USA at 3.00pm EDT Australian time, Sunday March 29 2008.

Key achievements of Earth Hour 2008 in Australia

More than 370 cities, towns and communities took part

All Australian capital cities participated in Earth Hour

94 percent of the top 100 ASX companies supported Earth Hour

100% of top property companies support which include: Lend Lease, Mirvac, Colliers, Investa, Multiplex, CBRE, AMP, Knight Sinclair and Westfield.

Top 5 Australian banks support which include: St George, Westpac, Commonwealth, National Australia Bank and ANZ.

Key achievements of Earth Hour 2008 internationally

26 international Earth Hour flagship cities in 10 countries across the globe.

370 supporting cities around the world (please see attached list) makes it the largest voluntary power down event in history.

Support from significant international landmarks which include: Seoul Tower the tallest building in Northeast Asia, Casey Station Antarctica, Niagara Falls, Americas infamous jail Alcatraz, Prince Charles; Gloucestershire residence, Highgrove House.

"By Earth Hour 2009, on March 28 we expect more Australians will have incorporated simple energy efficient solutions into their homes and workplace. Its important we keep the momentum going for a greener and sustainable future." Mr Ridley said.

AMR Interactive report (220kb, pdf)

For more information about Earth Hour:
Kath Eggleston, WWF-Australia Press Office
T: +61 2 8202 1294 / 0408 408 562 E: keggleston@wwf.org.au

About Earth Hour

On March 31 2007, for one hour, Sydney made a powerful statement about the greatest contributor to global warming – coal- fired electricity – by turning off its lights. Over 2.2 million Sydney residents and over 2,100 businesses turned off their lights, leading to a 10.2% energy reduction across the city. What began as one city taking a stand against global warming caught the attention of the world. In 2008, 24 global cities will participate in Earth Hour at 8pm on March 29. Earth Hour is the highlight of a major campaign to encourage businesses, communities and individuals to take the simple steps needed to cut their emissions on an ongoing basis. It is about simple changes that will collectively make a difference – from businesses turning off their lights when their offices are empty, to households turning off appliances rather than leaving them on standby.

About WWF

WWF-Australia is part of the WWF International Network, the world's largest and most experienced independent conservation organisation. It has close to five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. This is achieved by working on the ground with local communities, and in partnership with government and industry, using the best possible science to advocate change and effective conservation policy.

About AMR Interactive

AMR Interactive is a research consultancy that brings innovation, integration and insight to drive business success. AMR Interactive has operated in Australia for more than twenty years, offering a full range of research services to business and government. From advertising effectiveness and brand equity studies through to corporate reputation, customer satisfaction, concept testing and pricing AMR Interactive offers a complete research consultancy service. Our mission is to drive our clients' success with the best people, products & processes.

Leo Burnett Sydney

Award winning agency, Leo Burnett is WWF's partner in the Earth Hour initiative. The agency, in collaboration with WWF, has created the Earth Hour identity and logo and a dedicated holistic communications campaign, designed to harness the power of TV, radio, print and interactive.

Phoenix turns off the lights

Hundreds brave the cold for a dark San Francisco

Greetings to all from San Francisco, where hundreds of Earth Hour revelers braved the chilly summer fog to watch the city go dark in this dramatic event to tackle climate change! Led by Mayor Gavin Newsom, San Franciscans voiced their commitment to combat climate change, not only through Earth Hour, but by continuing to drive awareness of this critical environmental issue and by making conservation a part of their daily lives.

Leading up to the moment when the city went dark, we also heard from Senator Barbara Boxer, who gave voice to Californians' environmental concerns and commitments; WWF's own Suzanne Apple, who works with businesses around the world to protect the environment; and entertainers, such as the campy Beach Blanket Babylon, and Jason Damato, who wrote a song "Lights Out" especially for Earth Hour. Olympic Gold Medalist Brian Boitano mc'd the event and the WWF Panda entertained adults and children alike.

A hush fell over the crowd as the time for Earth Hour approached, and the clock tower on the Ferry Building signaled the moment, not with a chime this time, but by turning off its lights - starting a wave of darkness that fell over the rest of the building and the city. At 8 pm local time, famous landmarks in this City by the Bay turned their lights off. The Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower and Alcatraz Island, the Embarcadero and Transamerica buildings all went dark for Earth Hour.

The Market Bar, in the Ferry Building, was one of many restaurants hosting candlit dinners. Hotels across San Francisco handed out flyers to alert their patrons and ask them to turn out their lights. And community groups and individuals came together to create their own personal Earth Hour celebrations. There were even nighttime nature hikes!

As the first global Earth Hour event winds to a close, WWF would like to send a huge THANK YOU to all of the incredible individuals, organizations, businesses and governments around the world who made this event possible! Your hard work and dedication, your enthusiasm, and your participation in Earth Hour have sent a powerful message around the planet that, by coming together, we can all make a difference.

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1 post by 1 person. Updated on May 9, 2008 at 7:57 PM.

why are people opposed to this?!

71 posts by 55 people. Updated on May 5, 2008 at 7:17 AM.

Google earth to team up with earth hour

5 posts by 5 people. Updated on Apr 27, 2008 at 10:49 AM.

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Mick wrote at 4:34pm on May 15th, 2008

People on this earth have no idea of the destruction they are creating.
Once again the animals must suffer! Now it,s the polar bears turn.
Cheers to the people on this site. We must unite and fight.

Austin wrote at 9:31am on May 14th, 2008

This is symbolic nothing more...

Juliaanna wrote at 7:58am on May 13th, 2008

Attn: All VEGAN and Vegetarian's in Sydney, Australia.

Next VEGAN EXPO is coming up..

For details:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=12648682363

Even if your not attending please invite all your Sydney friends to come along!!! :-) Thanks.

Maria wrote at 2:28am on May 13th, 2008

i did earth hour this year in Niagra on the Lake, and was the first time i had heard of it and think its a wonderful idea no matter where you are. So where ever i am next year during the 29th will do it again and will send the word to others to getpeople in the u.k to start.

Shea wrote at 9:03pm on May 10th, 2008

Why does Earth hour just focus on major cities. The reality is that we have to focus on rural that people from the mountains or flatlands know how to grow food instead of this greenwashing!

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Earth Hour 2009 date! 7:00pm May 13

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Rolf Harris supports Earth Hour

Rolf Harris:

“From the time I was a little kid, I’ve had a view about the environment. I was lucky to have grown up on the banks of the Swan River in Perth, alongside the river ti-trees and the eucalypts. It made me appreciate the wonders of the natural world. Long before we understood the impact of environmental issues on the survival of the planet, my dad taught us conservation. He was always planting trees and encouraged us to switch off lights if we weren’t using them. He’d say ‘If you don’t need it, don’t use it!’ I am passionate about the idea that if enough of us take steps, however small, we can make a difference in protecting this wonderful planet of ours. That’s why I’ve embraced Earth Hour.”