New Delhi – India is getting ready for participation in WWF’s Earth Hour once again – a global movement in which people around the world switch off their lights for an hour in the biggest single mobilization against climate change. WWF-India will be running the third national edition of the event on March 26 at 8:30 pm.
The message of Earth Hour this year is to go beyond the hour, and commit to a more sustainable way of living, everyday and not just for an hour. Earth Hour 2011 marks the start of a new phase for this extraordinary people’s movement, which is also reflected in the all new ‘60+’ logo for Earth Hour 2011 representing a commitment to add a positive act for the planet.
Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Honourable Minister of State (I/C) for Environment and Forests, Government of India, announced the launch and said, “I would like to congratulate WWF-India on bringing down climate change to the level of the individual in an innovative and interesting format. Earth Hour gives the message that individuals too can make a difference to the problem of climate change.”
“One hour sounds trivial but in totality is a significant contribution on the part of the individual,” Mr. Ramesh added.
Mr. Ravi Singh, Secretary General and CEO, WWF-India, said, “It is heartening to receive such tremendous support from across the length and breadth of the country. With this encouragement, we are now hoping to multiply the initiative across the social spectrum and reach out to governments, organizations, and individuals, especially the youth across the country. Earth Hour 2011 calls for action not just for an hour but a commitment to sustained and responsible practice even beyond the hour.”
Mr. Singh added, “It is inspiring and encouraging to see how a step as simple as switching off lights for an hour can unite the entire country towards a single cause. The campaign has received unprecedented support in the previous years and we intend to make it stronger every year. Earth Hour is an extraordinary platform and truly a people’s campaign that goes beyond national, regional, economic and cultural differences.”
Mobilization for Earth Hour 2011 is now in full swing. In New Delhi, over a hundred cyclists mobilized support for the campaign by participating in the Earth Hour 2011 Cylcothon that was held on Sunday, March 13, 2011. The site – www.earthhour.in – is live now to provide citizens, organizations, and governments with information and suggestions on the steps they can take to reduce their carbon footprint. As Earth Hour continues to gather force, more and more people take on responsibility for demonstrating that it is feasible to confront the threats posed by increasing pressure on our resources through collective responsible actions.
India joined the Earth Hour campaign in 2009 by committing the support of two main cities, Delhi and Mumbai, and in that year, 56 cities supported the campaign. In the space of one year, Earth Hour 2010 grew to become the greatest environmental action in India where individuals and businesses across 125 cities in India came together to show the path to a sustainable future. During Earth Hour 2010, more than 5 million people in India switched off lights. Popular historical landmarks such as the India Gate, Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Gateway of India, Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus and even national defence establishments, universities, hotels, cinema complexes and shopping malls across the nation participated in the event, symbolizing a landmark moment in support of a noble cause.
About WWF-India
WWF-India is one of the largest conservation organizations engaged in wildlife protection and environment preservation in the country for over four decades now. As a part of the WWF-International network, the organization has made its presence felt through a sustained effort towards both nature and wildlife conservation and reduction in humanity’s ecological footprint. With its extensive network of state offices, the organization sensitizes people through creating awareness, building capacity and offering enviro-legal support. A challenging, constructive, science-based organization, WWF-India addresses issues like the survival of species, habitat conservation and climate change. For more information, visit www.wwfinfia.org.
About Earth Hour
Earth Hour is a WWF initiative where citizens around the globe can show their support for action on climate change by turning off lights for one hour. WWF’s Earth Hour is an inspiring message of hope and action – a global demonstration about climate change. At 8.30pm on 26 March 2011, cities, towns and municipalities across the world will turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – sending a powerful global message that it’s possible to take action on global warming.
Earth Hour began in one city, in one country in 2007. More than 2.2 million households and businesses in Sydney, Australia turned off their lights for one hour on Saturday 31 March 2007. Just one year later, Earth Hour reached 370 cities and towns in more than 35 countries across 18 time zones, and the campaign shifted from a Sydney event to a global sustainability movement. In its third year, Earth Hour 2009 created history as the greatest voluntary action ever witnessed. Last year, Earth Hour reached out to over a billion people participating in this global show of support. For more information, visit www.earthhour.org.
