The impact of 'Earth Hour'

Earth Hour

"Earth Hour" is an initiative put forward by WWF (World Wildlife Fund) to respond to global climate change. It hopes that individuals, communities, businesses and The government turns off the lights for one hour between 20:30 and 21:30 on the last Saturday in March every year to show their support for action on climate change. Climate change caused by excessive carbon dioxide emissions has now greatly threatened the survival of human beings on the earth. Only by changing global attitudes towards CO2 emissions can we mitigate the impact of this threat.

Goal Vision

The goal of Earth Hour 2009 is to involve as many individuals, families and businesses as possible to turn off lights and other electrical appliances for an hour.

"Earth Hour" aims to make the global community aware of the threats posed by climate change, and to make them aware that small actions by individuals and businesses will have a negative impact on the environment they live in. What a profound impact – small changes can have a huge impact.

At the same time, the "Earth Hour" event also provides a global environmental change for the leaders attending the United Nations climate change negotiations held in Copenhagen in December 2009, hoping that the heads of state will reach a new global Climate change agreement, replacing the Kyoto Protocol.

Development History

The "Earth Hour" event was first launched in Sydney, Australia at 8 pm on March 31, 2007. That night, there were more than 2.2 million households in Sydney. and businesses turning off lights and appliances for one hour. Afterwards, statistics showed that the electricity saved by turning off the lights for one hour was enough to run 200,000 televisions for one hour and run 50,000 cars for one hour. More participating citizens reported that they could see several times more stars that night than usual.

Subsequently, "Earth Hour" started from this limited scale and quickly swept the world at an astonishing speed. Just one year later, Earth Hour has been recognized as one of the world's largest actions to combat climate change, becoming a global and continuing event. On March 29, 2008, as many as 50 million people in 35 countries participated, and proved that individual actions can really change the world. 2009 "Earth Hour" China Launch Ceremony

In 2009, "Earth Hour" came to China!! Baoding, known as "China's Electricity Valley", was the first mainland city to officially announce its participation in the event . In addition, cities in mainland China that have been officially confirmed by WWF to participate in the event include Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian, Nanjing, Shunde, Hangzhou, Changsha, Changchun, Hong Kong, Macau and other cities. From 20:30 to 21:30 on the evening of March 28, 2009, the police in the above-mentioned cities took action together and turned off the lights for one hour. More than 3,000 cities in more than 80 countries and regions around the world have jointly created this beautiful "dark moment" and jointly contributed to the future of the earth.

To this end, the National Football Museum of England, the Burj Khalifa, the tallest hotel in the world, the CN Tower in Toronto, the Federal Building in Moscow and the Quirina, the official residence of the President of the Republic of Italy in Rome The lights in the palace are turned off for one hour. The iconic building at Hong Kong's Victoria Pier also turned off its lights for an hour to express determination to combat climate change.

In China, the number of participating cities and buildings has also snowballed. As a "low carbon city pilot", Baoding Municipal Government Building and China's first solar photovoltaic building-Diangu Jinjiang International Hotel, Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor, Dalian's Xinghai Square, Nanjing Xuanwu Lake, Xinjiekou, Shanghai Oriental Pearl, etc. nearly 80 All high-rise buildings will turn off their lights at 8:30 pm on March 28; Beijing's new landmark buildings, the Bird's Nest, Water Cube and Linglong Tower, will also join the list. As the tallest building on Chang'an Avenue, Yintai Center, the landscape lights with the "lantern" logo will also be turned off. And become a symbol of these cities' participation in activities and support for reducing global warming. In addition, individuals, communities, and companies in many cities are also using their own power to actively organize and promote this event.

Na Hua, Deputy Country Director of the United Nations Development Program, said: “The impact of climate change on human beings does not respect national boundaries. Whether we are rich or poor, each of us is equally vulnerable to climate change.

In the fight against climate change, it is very important for governments, individuals and social institutions to work together. Each of us is a villager in the global village. As long as we turn off the lights for an hour, we can make a real contribution to reducing carbon emissions and changing the future of the earth. "

"Earth Hour" Global Executive Director Andy Reid said: "Recent events show that the world can unite in times of crisis, and the global economic crisis is a good example. 2009 is the year that will determine the future of our planet. Major countries around the world will formulate large-scale plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions this year. This also provides a good opportunity to invest in new low-carbon economic models. We must work together to make these changes happen. Our collective actions can change history and secure the future of our planet. " Earth Hour China Promotion Ambassador Li Bingbing

After the "Earth Hour" activity was launched in China at the end of last year, it has also made positive progress. Hundreds of companies including Coca-Cola and Canon have joined the activity. Beijing, IKEA, Wal-Mart, New World China Real Estate, etc. in Shanghai and other places also used different methods to carry out activities on the day. JCDecaux China also provided free advertising space on bus bodies and subway light boxes in Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin to support "Earth One". Hour" activity.

In addition, a series of public service announcements participated by Earth Hour China Promotion Ambassador Li Bingbing were also unveiled. On the evening of March 28, Li Bingbing joined everyone in the "Lights Out One Hour" event During the event, Li Bingbing said: "The earth is our common home, and everyone has the responsibility to save energy. I hope to use my power to call on more people to participate in this meaningful event and express our determination to combat climate change. "

Baoding joins

"China Electric Valley" joins "Earth Hour" -

February 23, 2009, 20 minutes away from "Earth Hour" The global lights-off campaign has been going on for more than a month. Baoding City, Hebei Province, known as the "Electricity Valley of China", officially announced that it would join the campaign and turn off the lights for one hour at 8:30 pm on March 28, 2009, becoming the first official city in mainland China. Announcement of cities joining the event

WWF (China) Chief Representative Oda Meng said: "We are very happy to see Baoding join the 'Earth Hour' action. Addressing climate change is a global problem that requires everyone's support. **With action and effort. Baoding has made outstanding achievements in low-carbon development and is at the forefront of global cities. We also hope that more Chinese cities will join the lights-out event and join the global action for low-carbon development. ”

As one of the first pilot cities of WWF’s “China Low Carbon City Development Project” (the other is Shanghai), Baoding has achieved certain results in the construction of low-carbon cities in the past year. Currently, Baoding The city is building a "China Electric Valley" based on its own industrial structure characteristics, vigorously developing a low-carbon economy focusing on new energy and new energy equipment manufacturing, advocating a low-carbon lifestyle, and building a low-carbon city and ecological civilization in Baoding. "Earth Hour" event launching ceremony

On the evening of March 28, 2009, the Baoding Municipal Government held a launching ceremony for the "Earth Hour" event at the Diangu Jinjiang International Hotel, China's first solar photovoltaic building in the High-tech Zone. Relevant government leaders and senior officials from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) attended the event and delivered speeches. At the same time, Olympic champion Pang Wei attended the ceremony as the spokesperson of Baoding's "Earth Hour".

Baoding City promised to fully participate in "Earth Hour". Activities, Baoding’s colleges and universities, primary and secondary schools, street communities, enterprises and government agencies participated in the lights-out activities in different forms, and also carried out a series of publicity and advocacy activities on energy conservation and emission reduction, using the activities to enhance Baoding’s national energy conservation awareness , *** jointly promote the construction of "low-carbon cities"

The Baoding Municipal Development and Reform Commission revealed that participating in the "Earth Hour" event is an important measure in the process of building a low-carbon city in Baoding. It is hoped that. By "turning off the lights for one hour", we will raise people's attention to climate change and make the concept of energy conservation, environmental protection, building a low-carbon city, and cherishing natural resources deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

The Baoding Development and Reform Commission also called on Baoding citizens to choose this time. For one hour, consciously turn off the lights (except for lights, street lights, traffic lights, etc. that do not affect public safety), and disconnect the power supply of all household appliances, such as mobile phone chargers, TVs, microwave ovens, and MP3 players. , computer monitors and printers, etc.

On the evening of March 28, the Baoding Municipal Government Building and the surrounding landscape lights were also turned off for one hour. Main city government officials and citizens participated in and witnessed this global action. Diangu Jinjiang International Hotel before and after lights out

The "Earth Hour" event has received attention and response from college students stationed in Guangdong. The "College Student Environmental Protection Alliance", which has been prepared for a long time by students from eight universities stationed in Guangdong, including Hebei University, North China Electric Power University, and Hebei Agricultural University, will be officially established on the 28th. That afternoon, they launched the alliance's founding ceremony at the Baoding Military Academy Square. In addition, they also carry out various forms of publicity activities, such as introducing the "Earth Hour" activities and common knowledge about global climate change to citizens through flyers, display boards, banners, proposals, etc. Many universities in the alliance warmed up for "Earth Hour" on their respective campuses through radio stations, blackboard newspapers and other forms. Many university clubs said they would turn off the lights in their dormitories for one hour on the evening of the 28th to contribute their part to "creating a green Baoding".

Baoding Mayor Yu Qun said: "As a Chinese city with a population of more than 11 million, Baoding is working hard to build a low-carbon city. Participate in the global environmental protection event 'Earth Hour' , turning off the lights is just a small action, but it has great symbolic significance. In the future, Baoding will join other cities in the world that are committed to low-carbon sustainable development, advocate the harmonious development of humans and nature, and take active actions. " /p>

Making a craze

Earth Hour is a global initiative. This event started in Sydney, Australia in 2007. At that time, more than 2 million homes and businesses voluntarily turned off their lights for one hour. One year later, with the advocacy and promotion of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), "Earth Hour" has become a global and continuously developing event. In 2009, more than 3,000 cities from more than 80 countries and regions participated in the event.

The diesel generator located on the Chatham Islands on the east coast of New Zealand was shut down on time at 20:30 on March 28. It marked the beginning of the world's most spectacular collective event so far, "2009 Earth Hour" start. Sydney before and after lights out

As the first of this global event, Dairne Poole, the head of WWF's "Earth Hour" in New Zealand, believes that her country's move affects 1 billion people around the world, and more than 1,000 cities, playing an integral role in events spanning 25 time zones.

This "lights-off relay" in thousands of cities around the world started in New Zealand, passed to Sydney, and then to Seoul, Shanghai, Beijing, Baoding, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, and Bangkok in Asia. , Jakarta, Mumbai and New Delhi.

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome and the Coca-Cola billboard in Times Square, the National Football Museum in England, the Burj Khalifa, the tallest hotel in the world, the CN Tower in Toronto, The Federal Building in Moscow and the Palazzo Quirinale, the official residence of Italian President Giorgio Napolitano in Rome, all turned off their lights within 60 minutes.

Starting from Asia, the "Earth Hour" event provides people in 25 time zones around the world with a platform to express environmental protection and respond to climate change. Whether on the streets of Cape Town or on the hillsides of Los Angeles, Earth Hour brings people from all corners of the world together to embark on a journey to combat global warming before and after turning off the lights at the National Stadium, the Bird's Nest.

Baoding, China, under the leadership of the mayor, witnessed this beautiful dark moment. Beijing's new landmark buildings Bird's Nest, Water Cube and Linglong Tower, Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower and World Financial Center, Nanjing Xuanwu Lake, Jiangsu TV Tower and nearly 80 high-rise buildings in key areas also join hands with many famous buildings around the world to participate in the lights-out event Active.

Paris, the "City of Light", extinguished the lights of several world-famous buildings during Earth Hour, including the Eiffel Tower. And in Greece, thousands of Athenians took part in Earth Hour together to show their support for slowing global warming.

Major cities in the Americas such as New York, Washington, Rio de Janeiro, Toronto, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Mexico City and Las Vegas will be released simultaneously under the long-lost starlight. their opinions on environmental protection.

WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Chief Representative Oda Meng said before the event: "The Earth Hour event is entering the sprint stage, and there are more and more participants in this global city lights-off relay. WWF hopes More Chinese cities are participating in this urban relay, and the Water Cube before and after the lights are turned off shows everyone's efforts and determination to deal with climate change."

In March, a letter was sent with the theme "March 2009." The email "Please turn off the lights for one hour from 8:30 to 9:30 pm on September 28" was circulated on the Internet and was forwarded and passed on by many netizens. On the Chinese Internet, which has 300 million Internet users, activities and discussions related to "Earth Hour" are going on in full swing.

It is reported that many large websites have opened special web pages to report on this issue in the form of special topics and special pages. Some websites also launched a personalized homepage on March 28. The page background will change from "light" to "dark" with the new "switch" button on the page, so that more netizens can Participate in the "Earth Hour" event.

In online discussion boards and forums, netizens expressed their opinions. Some netizens planned to take advantage of this rare hour to "bring a flashlight and go for a walk downstairs" or "walk to the balcony, look up at the stars, and count the stars one by one"; some netizens suggested being nostalgic and revisiting the Childhood games: Find a few close friends to play hawks and chickens, hide and seek, play house in the evening...experience your childhood again; some netizens proposed to have candlelight dinners with close people, and have sex with neighbors , colleagues held a "storytelling competition"; there were also netizens at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower before and after the lights went out who wanted to be alone, practice yoga, or think about things...

For a while, it was also popular on the Internet Starting from the "12 constellations' after-lights-out plan", some netizens have also created different versions of the lights-out plan, for example, the enjoyment version - light up aromatherapy, sheet masks, foot soaks; the warm version - light candles at home Chatting with family; Pet version - walking the dog in the dark; Humor version - like Ge You in "If You Are the One", repent in the dark and do things that are not environmentally friendly and have caused harm to the earth since kindergarten. Count all the behaviors.

Most netizens support "Earth Hour". Everyone regards this unplugged hour as an opportunity to enhance their relationship and a rare opportunity to return and get close to nature. The famous pianist Lang Lang suggested that everyone listen to music, "Appreciating music in a dark environment can help you concentrate more and completely immerse yourself in the melody. At that moment, you will be deeply moved and your imagination will be triggered."

In fact, "Earth Hour" has also aroused "cries" from all walks of life. HSBC Bank in 37 countries around the world turned off office lights on the evening of the 28th; Canon also turned off landscape lighting, called on employees to go home and turn off the lights, and placed event posters in more than 700 dealerships; Jinjiang Inn 240 stores across the country , CapitaLand's 44 property buildings across the country have all landscape lighting turned off; Shanghai Yayue Hotel holds Earth Hour Night in its "green room" during Earth Hour, lighting candles and inviting guests to drink for free. *** Mark this hour; New World Shopping Malls, IKEA, and Wal-Mart in Beijing and Shanghai turn off their landscape lighting, and join their customers in advocating green consumption...

Students from more than 100 universities across the country also Use that day to showcase creative ideas to combat climate change. Unplugged concerts, dark night stargazing, children's graffiti contests, candlelight messages and other activities from individuals, businesses, communities and schools have all brought the Earth Hour event to a climax.

[Edit this paragraph] Ways to spend it

The following are ten ways WWF recommends spending "Earth Hour" to help you reduce carbon emissions: Participate in the local "Earth Hour" "Earth Hour" activity, or hold an "Earth Hour" party by yourself and invite neighbors to participate; gather friends and family to enjoy a picnic at night in the park and admire the stars; during this hour, you can look up at the stars and enjoy a candlelight dinner at home; organize A treasure hunt in the dark; Go out for a walk with the dog at night; Relax and take a bath by candlelight; Sit around in the dark and tell stories together; Organize a family night, play chess or games; Have a romantic night with your loved one ; Use a video camera or camera to record the story of this hour, and upload it to /groups/earthhour2009global/ to share it with everyone.

[Edit this paragraph] Significance of the event

In 2008, energy consumption in the city of Sydney dropped by 8.4% during "Earth Hour", which is equivalent to extinguishing 1.6 million light bulbs. Christchurch, the only New Zealand city to officially participate in the lights-out campaign, released data showing that energy consumption decreased by nearly 13% after one hour of lights-out.

There is no doubt that the publicity effect of the lights-out show is far greater than the actual emission reduction effect. With the global "Lights Out Show" relay, more people are beginning to realize the importance of energy conservation and emission reduction, and participate in this event in their own way.

Stephanie Weirick, a consultant for a steel company in Peoria, Illinois, used the lights out for an hour to throw a party for her friends. The theme was "B YOC", which means "bringing you with me" candles come". After this experience, 42-year-old Stephanie Weirick decided to hold an "Earth Hour" event at her home every month and even planned to have a "green funeral" for herself.

In 2008, with the coming of "Earth Hour", citizens in many famous cities around the world began to enjoy candlelight dinners, from Fiji, New Zealand to Australia, to Asia, Europe and the Americas. Among them, the iconic cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand's third largest city, was the first to turn off the lights under the auspices of the mayor. Hundreds of local people watched a documentary focusing on environmental protection in Cathedral Square, and then flocked to local restaurants and bars. All candles were lit here and a candlelight dinner was held. Thousands of families also started romantic candlelight trysts at home.

At the time of lights out, although a hotel in Bangkok, Thailand temporarily stopped providing hot food and heated drinks, the restaurant was still full with people who went to attend the candlelight banquet. After the Sheraton Hotel in Chicago turned off the lights, it provided guests with glowing ice cubes in the lobby, which was a unique touch.

In the square in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, many people looked up at the sky and looked at the stars. A spokesman for the World Conservation Fund in Denmark said: "In cities, there are probably not many days when you can look at the stars."

In Phoenix Park in Dublin, the capital of Ireland, the Astronomical Society of Ireland set up a The huge telescope hopes that people can take advantage of the moment when the city lights go out to enjoy the "brilliant starry sky". Perhaps the best use of time is in some Chicago buildings, such as the John Hancock Center, where managers used lights-out time to permanently replace hundreds of incandescent lamps in the building with energy-saving light bulbs.

As for how to meaningfully spend an hour on the night of March 28 this year, the famous pianist Lang Lang’s suggestions are full of humor: "Appreciating music in a dark environment can help you to be highly concentrated and fully immersed in the melody." . At that moment, you will be deeply moved and your imagination will be triggered.”

“Don’t underestimate lights out for one hour,” said Yi Hong, Vice President of Bigan Investment China, “Cities use a lot of electricity. One of the places where if the city can turn off unnecessary landscape lights for one hour, the energy that can be saved will be a huge number.”

“In just 60 minutes, we can actually make a big contribution to the earth. Because every kilowatt hour of electricity saved, 1 kilogram of carbon dioxide and 0.03 kilogram of sulfur dioxide emissions are reduced," said a WWF volunteer.

According to statistics, in 2007, the first year after Earth Hour was launched, Sydney, Australia, set a goal of reducing energy consumption by 5%; on March 31 last year, the electricity saved in Sydney alone was enough Using 200,000 TV sets for one hour is equivalent to taking 48,613 cars off the road in one hour, which is a significant energy saving and emission reduction effect.

Yi Hong said that "Earth Hour" unites the world through such a simple and direct activity, and reminds people to stop the pace of life and think about how to deal with the global situation. warming problem.

In his view, "A little adds up, and sand becomes a tower." Today, when non-renewable energy sources are becoming less and less, if more and more cities, companies, and individuals participate in During environmental and energy-saving activities such as Earth Hour, actively taking measures, participating in them, and assuming due responsibilities will help promote energy conservation and greenhouse gas emission reduction, and further reduce environmental problems caused by global warming.

Earth Hour, as an activity to raise public awareness of environmental protection, is just the beginning. For a city that has fulfilled the commitment of "Earth Hour", after turning off the lights, it promotes energy conservation and environmental protection. Change is what it’s all about.

"Earth Hour" is more than just a lights-out ceremony. In China, this event also provides the greatest support for the country's energy efficiency goal of achieving 20% ??energy conservation and emission reduction by 2010. It aims to encourage individuals and enterprises to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and take active actions to address climate change. "Earth Hour" is an energy-saving concept. Whether we use electricity at work or at home, it requires our long-term efforts and support. We should always remind ourselves to turn off unnecessary lights and unplug unnecessary power sources.

Voices from the bottom

In 2008, 5,000 people from 35 countries and regions participated in the "Earth Hour" action. The Sydney Opera House, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, London's City Hall... these iconic buildings in various countries are plunged into darkness.

John Rumney is an ecotourism practitioner on the Great Barrier Reef in northern Queensland, Australia. In recent years, Rumne has discovered severe coral reef bleaching at many popular dive sites. Coral reef bleaching is caused by environmental degradation, primarily due to rising sea temperatures. Other serious threats to coral reefs include overfishing and land-based pollution, the effects of which are exacerbated by climate change.

Rumney said: "The health of the Great Barrier Reef is threatened by deteriorating water quality, mainly due to the overuse of chemical fertilizers and the loss of native forests and wetlands. But even though these are far from the Much less than the damage done to our reefs by climate change. ”

“We are all connected and we all know we shouldn’t dump our pesticides, toxic waste, and trash. By the same token in your neighbor's backyard, no society should be releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere at will."

"My family will support Earth Hour and we hope this event will happen. It can make people aware of their obligations to be responsible neighbors of the earth.”

Nola Royce is a snow mountain climber and personal trainer in Albany, New York, in the northeastern United States. She noticed a significant reduction in ice and snow cover since she started climbing in the early 1970s.

Royce said: “I definitely don’t check email when I travel. I don’t have to worry about what’s going on in the world outside of where I am. It’s a great experience, and the same goes for lights out. Just candles It is a very pleasant and romantic thing to light up - provided that you are with the right person."

"I think it is best to switch off more than once a year. The lights will be better. Maybe we should do this from time to time and imagine what fun things we could do if we spent an hour in the dark."

Living in J.mtland County in northern Sweden. German couple Nicole and Christoph Müller say older people in northern Sweden have also noticed dramatic changes in snowfall in recent years.

The region recently experienced its warmest winter on record in 108 years. Nicole Müller said: "We believe that Earth Hour is a great way to raise awareness of the threats facing the world. People do not realize enough about the impact of millions of home appliances such as speakers and TVs, which are on standby. "The state will also consume energy."

Christoph Müller said: "This electrical energy can be saved, thus significantly reducing the emissions of carbon dioxide and pollutants from power stations, which will help slow down the impact of global warming. Take a step forward."

Background information

On March 31, 2007, the "Earth Hour" event was first launched in Sydney, with more than 2.2 million Sydney homes and businesses closed. Lights and electrical appliances for one hour. By March 2008, more than 270 cities had participated in this event, with a participating population of more than 50 million. In 2009, more than 80 countries and regions and more than 3,000 cities around the world joined "Earth Hour". In China, in addition to the governments of Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Baoding officially joining the Earth Hour event, more than ten cities across the country, including Beijing, Chongqing, Fuzhou, Nanning, Nanchang, Wuhan, Hefei, Changchun, Changsha, Xi'an, and Shunde, are actively participating in the event. Responsiveness and participation.

Attachment: Some major cities that have confirmed to participate in the "Earth Hour" action

The cities confirmed to participate in the list all meet at least one of the following conditions

Iconic buildings turn off their lights

Mayor’s support

Local celebrities serve as Earth Hour ambassadors