OBSERVANCE OF “EARTH HOUR, 2009” ON 28.03.2009 AT 8.30 PM TO 9.30 PM

1. In March 29, 2007, 2 millions residents in far away Sydney in Australia switched off their lights and electrical appliances for an hour from 7.30 PM to 8.30 PM local time.

2. This innovative action has captured the imagination of people of 400 cities in 35 countries across the world. They switched off lights and appliances from 8 PM to 9 PM on 29.03.2008 to observe “EARTH HOUR, 2008”.

3. The “EARTH HOUR, 2009” from 8.30 to 9.30 PM on March 28, 2009 will be observed in 1858 cities, towns and Municipalities of 81 countries across the world as the part of the world’s first global action between earth and global warming.

4. The observance of the “EARTH HOUR, 2009” will send a clear message to the politicians across the world that action on climate change and global warming is a popular cause for which people across the world are willing to accept some little sacrifice.

5. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged the citizens around the world to join “EARTH HOUR, 2009” to demand action on climate change. He further said that “EARTH HOUR” which takes place on Saturday 28.03.2009 - promises to be the largest demonstration of public concerned about climate change ever attempted.

6. Here are 10 different ways to spend Earth Hour and reduce our carbon footprint.

(i) Attend a local Earth Hour event or organize your own by throwing an Earth Hour street party with your neighbour.
(ii) Gather family & friends for a night picnic in your local park and look at the stars.
(iii) Enjoy a family dinner by candlelight.
(iv) Organise a treasure hunt in the dark.
(v) Take the dog for a night walk.
(vi) Have a candle-lit bath.
(vii) Sit in the dark and share stories.
(viii) Organise a family night playing board games.
(ix) Share a romantic night in with your loved one.
(x) Upload your ‘on the night’ photos and videos to flickr and You Tube respectively, and then add them to the Earth Hour flickr group and the global You Tube Group.
7. We are in a dangerous path. Our planet is warming. We need green growth that benefits all communities. We need sustainable energy for a more climate - friendly prosperous world. We must observe the “Earth Hour, 2009”. This is the path of the future.


Nagendra Nath Mahapatra
Honorary Advisor ( Eastern Region)
Indian Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD)
23rd March, 2009