Last month, over 9 million people across the world came together to show their care for our planet’s future. By switching off their lights for an hour at 8.30 p.m., they demonstrated that small actions can make a big difference. During the darkened hour, people sat by candlelight and had the opportunity to reflect on how they could reduce their impact further.
It wasn’t only individuals and families who took part in Earth Hour – famous landmarks around the world turned off their lights to show their support. The London Eye, Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building and Sydney Opera House all got involved in this important cause. Environmental organisations and community groups also used the chance to speak up and urge our governments to tackle environmental issues. Schools and youth groups celebrated Earth Hour by talking about wildlife, creating art about the ecological crises and making pledges to make a difference.
When we make changes to our lives to reduce our environmental footprint, we inspire others to do the same. It shapes our beliefs and values as a society. If we all work together, we could halve greenhouse gases by the end of this decade, habitats could thrive again and the wildlife around us could recover. There are many ways in which we can make a difference. You can save energy at home, recycle more or consume less. You can find lots of inspiration in the articles which are included in the eco awareness section of our journal.
ILSPA supports the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which strives to stop the destruction of nature and create a world where people and nature thrive. If you are interested in reducing your environmental footprint, you can download the WWF app here. You will be able to calculate your impact and track your challenges.