FEATURE l Earth Hour as a Global Initiative: Helpful or Doubtful?

A small act, but a big reminder that sustainable action matters every day. Join millions worldwide in switching off for #EarthHour!

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Earth Hour has become an influential worldwide phenomenon that encourages individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off unnecessary electric lights for an entire sixty minutes. Initiated by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in Sydney, Australia back in 2007, the movement aims to promote sustainability and raise awareness regarding climate change and energy consumption. Regardless of its good intentions, its effectiveness and impact on the planet sparked numerous debates—with some critics questioning its potential for fostering long-term development.

Around the world, over 190 countries and territories participate in the annual Earth Hour; proving that it holds a global significance. Underscoring the necessity to make a lasting commitment to sustainable living, this worldwide event is not just a symbolic gesture, but a call to action. According to Smith and Jones (2018) the visibility of Earth Hour events significantly increases public discourse on climate change on social media platforms, fostering a shared sense of urgency and responsibility.

While the nature of the phenomenon is to be a catalyst for change, its impact is questionable, and its substance provokes several conversations and arguments. Criticisms start by pointing out that Earth Hour is not specifically about saving energy as its duration is only one hour, and one day a year. Whatever energy is saved during the event is so small that it would not matter at all. Furthermore, it is also argued that even the organization that facilitates the initiative does not even keep track of the impact of Earth Hour on energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Science journalist Maggie Koerth-Baker brought to attention that on a bigger scope, this global action leads to a much bigger consequence. When the Earth Hour ends, power plants will have to work extra hard to meet the sudden increase in demand for energy. Conducive to that, they produce even more emissions than before.

Although bombarded with countless criticisms, the experience constantly aims to spread awareness and serve as an educational tool, its objective remains substantial and has tangible effects especially on energy utilization. In 2019, the Philippines reported a reduction of 611 megawatts in energy consumption during Earth Hour, which is equivalent to a decrease of 611 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Facing the fact that a single individual cannot solve a global problem alone, the sense of this annual event speaks that we, as citizens, can be a beacon of hope. Earth Hour is an annual reminder that international crises like climate change are constantly worsening. The lights without its illumination in an entire 60 minutes is a time to reflect and reconcile; it is a test if we will heed the call for change.

Beyond the act of switching the lights off, the annual Earth Hour unites the world with a single goal—to protect our planet. A small act as some may say, yet collective actions ripple to create a bigger implication.

Changing our ways is indeed a challenge, different global initiatives likewise teach us to be responsible for our actions. It is also an avenue to better understand different environmental issues and point out the pressing need for sustainable living as well as wise energy consumption. The future of the world and the next generation is up to our hands, responding to even the smallest act of change, although modest, can cast light to a brighter tomorrow.