Earth Hour | 27 Mar 2021

Why in News

The Earth Hour is being observed on 27th March 2021.

Key Points

  • About:
    • Earth Hour is the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF)’s annual initiative that began in 2007.
    • It is held every year on the last Saturday of March.
    • It encourages people from more than 180 countries to switch off the lights from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm as per their local time.
    • The idea is to refrain from the use of non-essential lighting to save energy in a symbolic call for environmental protection.
  • Impact:
    • Earth Hour has become a catalyst for positive environmental impact, driving major legislative changes by harnessing the power of the people and collective action.
    • Examples: It helped
      • Create a 3.5 million hectare marine-protected area in Argentina.
      • Ban all plastics in the Galapagos in 2014.
      • Plant 17 million trees in Kazakhstan.
      • Light up homes with solar power in India and the Philippines.
      • Push new legislation for the protection of seas and forests in Russia.

World Wildlife Fund for Nature

  • About:
    • It is the world’s leading conservation organization and works in more than 100 countries.
  • Established:
    • It was established in 1961 and is headquartered at Gland, Switzerland
  • Mission:
    • To conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.
  • Other Initiatives of WWF:

Source:TH