Earth Hour

---

Have you ever wondered what life would be like without electricity?

Earth hour is when we give back what the earth has given to us, even if it’s only an hour worth of it…

Earth hour, joins millions of people worldwide to switch off all the lights and use candles to help the earth. Started by WWF and partners as a symbolic lights-out event in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour is now one of the world's largest grassroots movements for the environment. Held every year on the last Saturday of March, Earth Hour engages millions of people in more than 180 countries and territories, switching off their lights to show support for our planet. But Earth Hour goes far beyond the symbolic action of switching off - it has become a catalyst for positive environmental impact, driving major legislative changes by harnessing the power of the people and collective action. Earth Hour is open-source, and we welcome everyone and anyone, to help amplify our mission to unite people to protect our planet. This event can help us with countless things such as reducing our Carbon Footprint, which will ultimately help the Earth and help reduce the levels of carbon emissions which will lead to less climate change.

“Every year, at 8:30 pm on the last Saturday of March, millions of people across the world join in raising awareness of the issues facing our planet. But Earth Hour is more than just an hour for the planet - it's a movement for our future. And it's more than just a symbol of support - it's a catalyst for urgent change. This Earth Hour 2021, we stand up against nature loss and climate change.” - https://www.earthhour.ae/

One day, I was scrolling through my mom’s messages and I saw this one, in particular, reading, “In your workplace, home, or community, you too can Speak Up for Nature this Earth Hour. Every voice, every conversation, every action, matters. Join the Earth Hour Movement today at www.EarthHour.ae #EarthHourUAE” then following was this message “It is not too late to show the world that you care about our planet, Speak Up for Nature by joining Earth Hour UAE at www.Earthhour.ae #EarthHourUAE”. Reading these, I didn't understand much so I asked my mom what it was.  She said this was when we switch off all the lights for 1 hour to save electricity. So, when it hit 8 pm on Saturday the 25th of March, I started to put candles in the letters “E” and “H” that represent “Earth Hour”. Below this, we had written the year that we did it in, for example, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21.  We have done this since 2017 all the way up to 2021 and counting.

If you have nothing to do in that 1 hour, it's simple just do something with your friends such as scaring them, playing tag, having popcorn, and gossiping; things we used to do when we were younger. But if you don’t want to do those there are other options such as:

- Work up a sweat. Raise your heart rate with a candlelight session of your favorite workout.

- Take a walk/hike.

- Go to your favorite landmarks and light the place up with candles.

- Do something artistic.

- Host a dinner with family and friends.

- Look at the stars.

- And make a resolution on how to reduce your carbon footprint.

Start by spreading awareness, by joining in, by helping the earth. On this momentous occasion, let's help the earth, and reduce the amount of electricity needed to power our cities. We need to work together to make the world a healthier place. We will need to spread awareness and do this monthly, weekly, or even daily, even if it’s only half an hour, it still helps. All we request is that you and your family participate and help the environment.

Thank you!

Written By: Twarita Verma