Earth Hour, a global movement by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), is an annual event that encourages people to switch off their non-essential electrical appliance and lights for an hour as a symbol to save the planet.
Earth Hour is held every year usually on the last Saturday in March. In 2020 it will be observed on Saturday 28 March from 20:30 to 21:30 local time.
History
The first Earth Hour was held in Sydney, Australia, in 2007 as a symbolic lights-out initiative. Today it goes beyond the symbolic action of “switching off”. It has become a catalyst for climate awareness and driving positive policy changes by harnessing the power of the people and collective action.
Since the inception of Earth Hour in South Africa, landmarks such as Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town have participated in switch-off events. In 2014 Cape Town beat 163 cities in 14 countries in the annual Earth Hour City Challenge to become the Earth Hour Global Capital of the Year.
WWF Earth Hour Adventure 2020
UPDATE: This event has been postponed until further notice due to COVID-19.
WWF South Africa will host two fundraising events, one in Cape Town and one in Johannesburg. Attendees will take part in an after-dark, family-friendly race across the beautiful botanical gardens using torches and headlamps to navigate hidden checkpoints along a 5km course. A bring-your-own picnic on the lawns will follow the 5km “dash”. Live entertainment will keep the good vibes going. Avoid plastic waste and bring your reusable coffee mugs to this no-waste event.
When: 28 March 2020
Where: Cape Town – Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Time: Gates open at 6pm, the ‘dash’ starts at 7pm.
What to bring: It’s a strictly no waste event. Picnic basket and blanket (no food will be on sale and there will be no water stations), headlamps and torches, reusable coffee mugs, drinking cup, mug or bottle.
Entertainment: MC: Good Hope FM Radio Presenter, Dan Corder; Artist: SA’s Latest Pop/R&B Star Kerwin.
Tickets: Adults – R180 and Kids R100 (under 6 years go free).
Click here to book online.
Celebrate Earth Hour with Helderberg Eco-Rangers
Join the Helderberg Eco-Rangers this year to celebrate Earth Hour 2020. The theme is all about ‘Spekboom – Nature’s Wonderplant’ to align with the global theme ‘Climate Action’.
The special guest speaker is Prof Nox Makunga, an award winning researcher and plant biotechnologist from Stellenbosch University. Chef Jonas Munyaneza from JM Catering will host a cooking demonstration using Spekboom – and everyone will be able to get a taste.
There’s fun for the whole family. Moms and Dads can enjoy a picnic under the stars while listening to the smooth jazz sounds by the Mitchell’s Plain Music Academy. Children can have some outdoor fun and learn how to plant a Spekboom from cuttings to take home. There’ll also be a nighttime adventure walk!
When: Saturday, 28 March 2020 from 5-10pm
Where: Verster Ave, Helderberg Nature Reserve, Cape Town, 7135
Tickets: Tickets cost between R75 and R95 (it’s free for children under 3). Click here to book.
Other ways to observe Earth Hour
- Switch off the non-essential electrical lights and appliances in your home for an hour (between 20:30 and 21:30 on 28 March 2020).
- Plan your own event in your community to raise awareness about climate change. Check out the earthhour.org to a guide on how to do this.
- Add your voice to social media. Use the hashtags #EarthHour and #connecttoearth to spark conversation online.
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