Why We Have Earth Hour
Categories: Energy
Earth Hour is a worldwide event held annually on the last Saturday of March. For a period lasting one hour, households and businesses are encouraged to switch off any non-essential lights in an effort to raise awareness about the urgent need to take action on climate change. The overall purpose of Earth Hour is to encourage everyone throughout the world to “take responsibility in the world in which they live.” While the actual impact of the event on energy usage varies from country to country, Earth Hour is a largely symbolic affair.
March 31, 2012 Earth Hour
On March 31, 2012, hundreds of millions of people around the world switched off their lights from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM to display a collective commitment to protect the planet. By all accounts, the 2012 Earth Hour event was a major success. Earth Hour first started in 2007 as a Sydney-only event. Since then, it has swept throughout the world and really shifted worldwide attitudes toward the severity of climate change.
Washington State At Increasing Risk
Washington State is at risk from intense heat and shifting precipitation patterns. This is projected to strain water supplies to communities and agriculture. Three of Washington’s top-10 warmest summers have occurred since 2000. The state faces severe threats from heat waves, wildfires and floods.
Earth Hour is an observance aimed to raise awareness about the threat the world faces from climate change. It began in 2007 and since then, it has swept throughout the world. Washington State is at increasing risk from climate change. Take this into consideration and take steps to do your part to tackle climate change.
Nice rundown on the source of Earth Day. Thanks!