On March 19, millions of people across the globe will turn their lights off for one hour. For many, Earth Hour is a time to recognize and acknowledge the array of challenges our world faces on energy, climate, and poverty.
Well over a billion people still live without electricity. Almost 3 billion still use air-polluting and carbon-emitting solid fuels (such as wood, coal and dung) for cooking and heating.
Some of us have seen these numbers so many times, they no longer seem as alarming as they should. Their impact has worn thin... So to recognize this reality for millions of our fellow human beings and to raise awareness of energy poverty, here are a few things you can do for Earth Hour on Saturday, March 19:
- Turn off your lights at 8:30 PM (local time). Leave them off for an hour or more. Try making your mobile phone or tablet the only electronic device you use.
- Take a moment to imagine what it feels like to live in darkness. No light; no TV; no heating or cooling. Remember, more than one billion people in the world do this, and not just for an hour. They live like this every day and night.
- Speak up on social media, using #EarthHour and #EndEnergyPoverty. Post a photo or video on Instagram explaining how it felt to live without electricity, or tweet a thought-provoking statistic or story on energy. Get creative online and inspire government officials, policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs alike to think how they can all play a better part to help ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030.
- Read about energy, poverty, and sustainability. A good place to start is to explore the latest Global Tracking Framework data on how countries are doing on energy access, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. For easy-to-read, insightful analysis on key issues, such as water and energy, read one of our Live Wire notes. Need some inspiration? Watch a selection of videos on how energy access has changed the lives of many in the developing world.
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