Between 20.30 and 21.30, Swedish households are urged to turn off the lights at home, to send a signal to the world's rulers to take the climate crisis and biodiversity seriously.
"We know what we have to do. Now it's about living up to what we promised. The countries of the world have agreed to protect 30 percent of land, water and sea, as well as restore at least 30 percent of depleted ecosystems and stop the human-caused extinction of species. Our rulers must show that these are not just empty words", says WWF Secretary General Gustaf Lind in a press release.
It was WWF in Australia that started what has now become an annual tradition. In 2007, the lights were turned off for the first manifestation and since then there has been more than just turned off lights in households.
In Järfälla municipality, outside Stockholm, the hour will be celebrated with, among other things, fire shows and speeches on the square in Jakobsberg and in Östersund, breakfast lectures with energy and environmental themes have been held during the week leading up to Earth hour.
"Many have grown up extinguishing at home, a tradition that is passed on to new generations. This year, we also see a clear tendency for municipalities to extend their commitment to a whole week instead of just one weekend, which is fun", says Cecilia Stenström, project manager for Earth Hour.
Here everything goes black – this is how the world goes off during Earth Hour
Sydney
8 sec
Hong Kong S.A.R.
13 sec
Bangkok
6 sec
India
13 sec
Taipei
9 sec
Jakarta
7 sec