EARTH HOUR: An Hour of Darkness for Brighter Years Ahead

Many of us are afraid of the dark. But there’s something good about the darkness— something that could very well light up our future.

Climate Change has become one of the most important moral issues in the world today. Everyone has the responsibility to take action against it even in the simplestway.

March marks the time of the year when nations unite in switching off lights for an entire hour. Organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Earth Hour is a global event wherein all participating countries turn off all non-essential lights for 60 minutes.

But more than an event, this is also an annual movement that has created environmental and social impact. It aims to unite people, regardless of age and race, in protecting the planet.

Presently considered as the biggest environmental event in the world, Earth Hour began as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia in 2007, which was later on joined by more than 170 countries across the globe.

Any plans for Earth Hour? Here are some of the fun activities you can do in the dark:

1. Dine in candlelight.
Invite your friends over for an intimate dinner. A candle-lit meal may also be shared with your special someone. Bust out the wine, and talk about happy memories while enjoying your favorite food.

2. Relax.
Take a nap or sleep early. An hour of dim light is a great opportunity for you to relax your mind while enjoying some light music. You may also want to get a massage that would certainly give you a rejuvenated feeling.

3. Boost creativity.
The absence of light won’t make you less creative. Put some art in the dark! Though light is a very essential factor in photography, Earth Hour may be the perfect time to practice taking photos with a low light source.

4. Get moving.
Physical activities are also in during this hour. Get active by having a night run or walk around but make sure you take extra caution as there will be a limited source of light. You can also do yoga poses or try new exercise tricks inside your home. Support Earth Hour while getting fit and healthy!

5. Gaze at the sky.
If the weather is good and the sky is clear, sky gazers can have their fill of heavenly bodies! Get your mat, prepare your telescope, and go on a night picnic while enjoying the view of the stars and the moon.

There’s a lot to do during Earth Hour on March 19,Saturday. In the Philippines, there will be a “Switch-off Event” at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. Booths and exhibits will be open by 4:00 PM, while the switch-off ceremony will begin at 7:30 PM. Renewable technology and sustainable transportation will be showcased too! And just like any other event, all participants are advised to follow proper decorum and maintain cleanliness at all times.

Remember, protecting our planet goes beyond the Earth Hour. Protecting the environment is a lifetime commitment that each of us must take on.

Here are other ways that we can do everyday to help combat climate change:

Sources:
World Wide Fund
Climate Change Commission
www.inhabitat.com