By Tim Saunders on
This Saturday, March 28, will mark Earth Hour, an initiative of the WWF in which people around the world are being encouraged to switch their lights off between 8:30 and 9:30pm in a bid to reach the target of one billion people who are committed to fighting climate change.
Earth Hour has grown from a single event in Sydney, Australia, in March 2007 to a global phenomenon that will change the way the world sees climate change. On March 31, 2007, over 2.2 million people and 2,100 corporations in Sydney turned their lights off for an hour, creating an energy saving of 10.2% – that’s roughly the same as taking 48,000 cars off the road!
A number of celebrities have thrown their support behind the initiative and have spoken about its importance:
- Edward Norton: “I am encouraging people toturn off their lights for one hour on March 28th at 8:30 p.m. – EarthHour – and join tens of millions of people around the world in the largest call to action on climate change in history. Earth Hour sends a powerful message to the world that we must act urgently before it’s too late. By turning out the lights, Americans will be casting a vote for action.”
- Desmond Tutu: “Earth Hour is an opportunity for every man, woman and child from all corners of the globe to come together with a united voice and make a loud and powerful statement on the issue of climate change.”
- Jo Dee Messina: “Earth Hour is such a great campaign. It lets something as simple as flicking a light switch become so much more. Earth Hour reminds everyone that if we all put in a little effort, we can achieve big results.”
- Gavin DeGraw: “Not only is this going to be great for the environment, but it also shows how powerful an idea can be if people with different backgrounds, cultures, shapes, and sizes all work together. I’m not exactly sure what city, state, or country I will be in on March 28, 2009, but I look forward to sharing this monumental occasion with not only the locals but my friends, family, and all of my wonderful fans around the world.”
- KT Tunstall: “In 2009, I’m going to join in for the first time on March 28th at 8.30pm and turn off every light, appliance and pull out all the plugs to support Earth Hour. Experience power to the people – fully off the grid!!”
- Wynonna: “I think this hour can give people everywhere a chance to be mindful that we are all in this together and that we can – and will – make a difference.”
- Dierks Bentley: “I think it’s an honor for Nashville to be included in the list of flagship cities being asked to help promote Earth Hour. Climate change is for real and I’d like for my daughter to enjoy this beautiful world as much as I have. Personally, I’m hoping to be down in one of the Lower Broadway honky-tonks at 8:30! Acoustic hour at Robert’s…Cool!”
- Simple Plan: “Global warming and the devastating effects it has on our planet are among the most urgent and serious issues we face in the world today. It’s up to us to do our share, evolve, adapt and change the way we live. On March 28th, we can all get involved by doing something extremely simple: turn off the lights! It’s easy and a great way to send a message and let the world know that we care about the environment.”
- Linkin Park: “Climate change is a crisis affecting the world right now, negatively impacting the Earth’s ecosystems and the strength and frequency of climate-related disasters such as drought, flooding, and catastrophic storms. Earth Hour is an opportunity for individuals to come together with one voice and declare that we are ready to tackle this critical issue head on.”
- Backstreet Boys: “The Backstreet Boys are proud and excited to be a part of Earth Hour 2009. It is absolutely inspiring for the four of us to come together with millions of people from all over the globe for such an important and monumental cause. On March 28th at 8:30pm, put in your vote to take action against the climate crisis. Get creative for an hour. Turn off your bedroom lights and light some candles. Unplug the electric and serenade your sweetheart with an acoustic guitar ballad instead. Forget the microwave and indulge on that huge bowl of Captain Crunch you’ve been craving. You know that’s what we’ll be doing. Not necessarily in that order though.”
Other celebrities who have shown their support for the initiative include Coldplay, Donny Osmond, Marie Osmond, Larry Flynt, Amy Grant, The Veronicas, Vince Gill, Cate Blanchett, Janeane Garofalo and Alanis Morissette.
To learn more about what you can do to join the campaign on Saturday, visit the Earth Hour website.
Copyright © 2009 Look to the Stars
