Connect to Earth: How One Hour Can Make a Difference

Each year, millions of people around the world join together to take part in the annual celebration and grass roots movement known as Earth Hour. This year Earth Hour takes place on Saturday, March 30th, between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. local time.

While turning off your lights and “going dark” for a single hour is a relatively simple action, it makes a powerful statement about our joint commitment to protecting the planet. It’s a way to make our voices heard. It’s a way to revitalize our purpose and determination. It’s an opportunity to get us reconnecting with nature. It’s a chance to inspire ourselves, and others, to not just sit back, but to take action. Why? Because we care about this planet. It’s the only one we’ve got!

Remember, as the Native American proverb goes, “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” It is up to us to make sure we “return it” in a viable state, one capable of supporting many, many generations to come.

#Connect2Earth

Although each year has its own theme, this year’s Earth Hour theme being #Connect2Earth, the intention is the same…to inspire people to take action for nature and the environment as a whole.

The hope, with this year’s theme, is that people will learn the importance of nature. They will take the time to find out what they can do to protect nature, wildlife and the environment around them. It isn’t someone else who is going to make a difference. It is you. It is me. It is each one of us. Only when we take action together can we see positive change come about.

Earth Hour Activities

So, instead of sitting in the dark for an hour just to say you participated in Earth Hour, use this opportunity to get outdoors. Connect with nature. Learn more about nature. Here are a few Earth Hour activities you might want to consider:

• Go for a walk with family or friends
• Do some stargazing
• Take the kids out to play
• Attend a concert in the park
• Do a little sight-seeing
• Find out what Earth Hour activities your city or community has planned and join in on those
• Attend an official Earth Hour event
• Go camping
• Have a picnic in the backyard

What To Do After Earth Hour Is Over

Once Earth Hour is over, take the time to find out what actions you can take to protect nature in your area and encourage environmental awareness. Figure out what you can do to make a difference. Earthhour.org wants to draw attention not only to the hour itself, but to the impact beyond the hour. From France going green with tech to Peru phasing out single use plastic to Finland encouraging a green diet for a green earth, there are actions we can take to make a difference.