Earth Hour Global Movement

This article provides an overview of the Earth Hour Global Movement, its mission, and its impact. It discusses the timeline of events from 2007 to 2018, the participation of countries and corporations, and the environmental outcomes affiliated with Earth Hour in Russia.

Running head: EARTH HOUR GLOBAL MOVEMENT 1
Earth Hour Global Movement
Name
Institution

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Earth Hour Global Movement
Earth Hour
The World Wildlife Fund and Leo Burnett Sydney were the first to come out with the
concept, Earth Hour, in 2004 in Australia as the two groups were discussing ideas to influence
people to join hands on an issue of climatic changes. Australia was the first country to hold Earth
Hour in March 2007. Where about two million trades, and households turned out their
illuminations, which were unessential, for one hour in Sydney. The San Francisco later in
October 2007 performed the same activity that Sydney pioneered. The event was successful, and
the team decided to carry out the business yearly in March. Currently, Earth Hour is an
organization with its headquarter in Singapore. The mission of the organization is to unite human
beings to protect the Earth. The group reminds us that we have an obligation of performing
activities that act against rising in temperature of the earth as well as focusing on how to save
energy for the coming generation. The association fights the entire negative and change them to
positive so that they cannot harm the environment. The Association has grown and has managed
to engage more than one hundred and eighty nations and territories across the globe.
As stated earlier, about one hundred and eighty-eight nations and territories have joined
Earth Hour up to date. The national focus in protecting sustainable lifestyles, stronger climate
policy, biodiversity, and deforestation. Some of the countries, which have joined the Earth Hour
movement, include Sydney, Tokyo, Berlin, New York, Egypt, and Italy. Also, the Philippines,
Canada, Israel, Vietnam, Sweden, and New Zealand participated in the campaign to address the
rapid climate change through the Earth Hour movement. In Africa, more than twenty-four
countries have joined others across the globe to shoe their commitments in nature conservation
by writing symbolic letters on wildlife, forests as well as rivers. The countries celebrated the
movement as they highlight some of the severe conservation problems they face.

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Timeline of Events from 2007 to 2018
Sydney was the first place to hold Earth Hour in the year 2007. During the event,
businesses and individuals, near two million and two hundred thousand people, switched off
lights, which were not essential for one hour (WWF, 2018). Typically, such kind of activities
that are performed by many people catches attention. Some countries joined the organization and
participated in the event the following year (WWF, 2018). For instance, nearly thirty-four states
and three hundred and seventy-one joined the association and took part in Earth Hour. United
Kingdom was among the nations that participated in the event in 2008 (WWF, 2018). The word
was spreading, and many countries and territories joined the movement. By 2009, a sum of
eighty-eight countries and four thousand cities had joined the organization (WWF, 2018).
Besides, millions of individuals took part in the events of the group. During March of the same
year, more activities of the organization took place as more people came together. More cities
joined the activities on the movement including the UN Headquarters where the lights were
turned out in the honor of the Earth Hour activities.
In 2010, nearly one hundred and twenty-eight had joined the group. For the first time in
history, four years since the association was established the London City Hall, Colosseum as
well as the Sydney Opera House (WWF, 2018). The people switched off many Coca-Cola
landmarks across the globe. In 2011, around 135 countries had joined the organization (WWF,
2018). A group of sixty cyclists pedaled to ensure that the people-powered projector was running
as it was lit up in the process, showing a film that illustrates the importance of protecting the
environment. In 2012, one hundred and fifty-two countries had joined (WWF, 2018). During the
occasion, music was played. In 2013, about one hundred and fifty-seven countries had
participated. In the year 2014, one hundred and sixty-two countries had joined Earth Hour. By

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2015, one hundred and seventy-two countries joined the organization. By the end of 2016, seven
more nations entered the movement (WWF, 2018). In 2017, the UN joined the group by putting
some lights of its Headquarter. By the end of 2018, the number of countries that had joined the
organization was one hundred and eighty-eight (WWF, 2018). At the time, the event was held
nearly eighteen thousand landmarks switched off their lights as a way of showing concerns for
the planet.
Figure 1 Figure 2
Figures one shows after the lights were switched off in UN Headquarters in 2017 as a way of
showing solidarity with Earth Hour organization, while Figure 2 shows how the building is light
when the lights are not put off. The images were retrieved from https://www.google.com/search?
q=IMAGES+OF+un+HEADQUARTERS+BEFORE+AND+DURING+EARTH+HOUR+EVE
NT&rlz=1C1CHBD_enKE790KE790&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=PJOPLei1b0w1RM
%253A%252CUzxxMo0GhOkq4M%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-
kRR0ZJe6rNnr6ahRTRw9LxNZ1oydA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiXnLTo1o3iAhVpxYUKHR6jC
fEQ9QEwAXoECAkQBg#imgrc=PJOPLei1b0w1RM:
A list of twenty Corporations Associated with Earth Hour
Some of the leading world's establishments that support Earth Hour’s activities include
Coca-Cola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Canon, and Wells Fargo. Other include Price Waterhouse
Coopers, HSBC, as well as Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWF, 2010). Although the efforts

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of the corporate are figurative signals, they emphasize the severe need for much to be done to
protect the environment, so that the earth becomes an excellent place to live (WWF, 2010).
HSBC is among the leading financial institutions worldwide that are committed to offering
comprehensive support to the movement to emphasize the necessity of considering the habits of
using the energy (WWF, 2010). HSBC has demonstrated their concern to environmental
protection by switching off lights in its offices across the globe to show workers, its customers,
and the public to think about how we consume our resources continually.
With around eight thousand five hundred office locations across eighty-six nations,
HSBC's global main goals are stimulating behavioral alteration, and company answerability
required to solve continuing unselective peril of climate changes (WWF, 2010). Likewise,
communications giant Nokia Siemens Networks urged its headquarters globally to turn off their
lights on 27th March in 2010, while at the same time encouraging it sixty-four thousand energetic
staff and many customers across the globe to be part of a worldwide determination to climate
change.
Wells Fargo is an organization known for reducing greenhouse gas to minimize global
warming (WWF, 2010). The company’s energy saving efforts encourages its clienteles in
participating in Earth Hour by messaging on its ATMs, which the firm expects to reach more
than nine million individuals (WWF, 2010). The firm as well turns out its unessential
illuminations where possible to join other organizations in solidarity to support the Earth Hour
Movement's activities worldwide (WWF, 2010). Wells Fargo Green Teams, supports Earth hour
through encouraging co-workers of the company to participate in activities that reduce global
warming (WWF, 2010). One of its officials illustrated how sixty minutes of energy saving event
is crucial (WWF, 2010). The activity shows how by working together as well as taking

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individual responsibility to turn out lights through disconnecting electrical gadgets and ensuring
their home are more energy saving can result in a positive change.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics' (WWL) leads up to the movement of power efficiency
week in its headquarters in Oslo with the members of the staff invited to find out the energy that
is wasted in the building (WWF, 2010). The main aim of the organization through its offices is to
remind the workers the need to use the energy economically to minimize wastage and therefore
supporting the environment (WWF, 2010). At the same time, the WWL headquarters worldwide
are encouraged to strategize their doings for the movement, so that they combine efforts to
achieve the group's objectives (WWF, 2010). PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the largest
professional services company in the world, have researched the international business
community (WWF, 2010). The study found some key correlative revelations into attitudes that
can help in the dilemma of global climate management.
Titled Appetite for Change, which is the globe’s most inclusive study of its kind
illustrates that about eighty-four percent of its administration believe that climate change will
affect the manner they will carry out business years to come (WWF, 2010). The firm measure the
extensive emission of carbon that will meet the imminent alterations to the global business
scenery (WWF, 2010). PwC showed the concerns and commitment to actions that solves climate
change through appealing to its offices in about than one hundred and fifty countries to
participate in Earth Hour 2010 (WWF, 2010). Concurrently, the organization encouraged its one
hundred and sixty-three thousand staffs across the globe to participate in the planet’s most
celebrated show of action that Earth Hour initiated on global warming (WWF, 2010). The
application of organization practices that are efficient and suitable is not just an environmental

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authoritative, but also a profitable one. Such practices will sustain the business for long making it
gain much at the same time improving the welfare of people around it.
Andy Murray (An international Earth Hour Ambassador)
Andy Murray is a Scottish Professional player of the tennis game. He is a WWF United
Kingdom global ambassador, Murray has is backing the organization’s Earth Hour ‘switch off’
(WWF, 2014). In 2015, after the Earth Hour event, Murray said that the movement is a simple
but powerful idea. He further added that it is time to show the whole world that they genuinely
care about the planet to protect the beautiful creatures that demand on it (WWF, 2014). He added
that it was a momentous occasion as the whole world joined together to address the biggest
concern, climate change (WWF, 2014). For instance, the organization uses some simple ideas
that convey an important message to people. The purpose of switching off the light for an hour
illustrates the need for different people to use energy economically (WWF, 2014). Electricity is
applied in powering different machines, which others result in environmental pollution (WWF,
2014). When individuals use electricity wisely, they will reduce pollution effects on the
environment and therefore reducing global warming. Consequently, it is essential for different
people, countries, and organizations to join the movement to ensure that they join hands to
address this environmental concern (WWF, 2014). The global warming affects the country,
businesses, and individuals and as a result, there is a need to minimize its negative impacts on
the environment.
Additionally, in 2015, Murray significantly contributed to raising the funds that are
needed to address the challenge of global warming in Nepal (WWF, 2014). For example, Nepal
is a habitat of beautiful animals that include tigers and rhinos, which is under threat as a result, of
poaching for the illicit business of their body parts (WWF, 2014). Nepal is one of the primary
transit roots for illegal wildlife products to China, from countries like India. Although Nepal has

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significantly reduced poaching, in most of its parks, the possibility of future poaching in the
country must be reduced (WWF, 2014). The sniffer dog program accepted to support Murray’s
campaign to address the challenge.
The move that Murray made when to address the issue of poaching was significant.
Wildlife has many benefits to the economy of countries (WWF, 2014). Through the tourism
industry, many are employed. The state gets revenue from tourist activities, which it uses to
support some of its projects (WWF, 2014). The individuals who are also employed in the
industry, their wellbeing improves. As a result, the crime rate in the country reduces because of
increased employment opportunities. The country is able, therefore, to develop faster. Murray's
program will also help to protect some plant species that are important for the medication
(WWF, 2014). Some individuals eliminate the plants for timber endangering the existence of
such species. Andy Murray supports Earth Hour Movement since his financial contributions will
help in improving the security in the parks and the forests (WWF, 2014). The money can also
help to purchase food and medicine for the animals. Besides, the relevant bodies can use finance
to replace the important tree species that others have eliminated in the process of logging.
Environmental Outcome Affiliated with Earth Hour in Russia.
Russia become a member of the Movement in 2013. March 22nd of the same year at 8.30
pm, Kremlin and Red Square switched off for Earth Hour (WWF, 2013). Russia, therefore,
made a global and crucial move to protect the environment as well as reducing global warming
(WWF, 2013). The Kremlin and Red Square are the essential sites for historical, political
activities in Russia and the region has approximately one hundred landmarks across seventy
cities that participated in the event (WWF, 2013). As the two areas joined the game, they had to
be noticed worldwide.

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Russia did not only symbolically joined Earth Hour, and the citizens have expresses that
they can positively influence the world (WWF, 2013). The WWF-Russia in 2018 secured more
than one hundred and twenty signatures so that the petition is passed for protecting their water
bodies from oil contamination (WWF, 2013). Such kind of moves is significant as they help to
reduce environmental contamination. The country, therefore, understands the need for protecting
the environment (WWF, 2013). Water is an essential need in human as well as plants life. Both
fauna and flora should access clean water to carry out their daily activities and development
effectively (WWF, 2013). For this reason, individuals and the nations across the globe should
consider passing laws, which protects the environment from pollution to protect the lives of both
plants and animals.
Similarly, the forest protection act secured more than one hundred thousand signatures in
the year 2013 (WWF, 2013). The petition was the amendments of the forest legislation for Earth
Hour 2013. The law could help in the ban of industrial logging that could protect about eighteen
percent of the forest territory in the nation (WWF, 2013). The Earth Hour movement is
significant since it has dramatically influenced the reduction in the land, air, and water pollution
in Russia. For instance, when different countries across the globe decide to act the same way as
Russia, in terms of environmental protection, Global warming will significantly reduce (WWF,
2013). Therefore, the countries that have not joined the movement should consider joining to
help in environmental protection.
During the 2016 WWF activities, the Earth Hour teams in Southeast Asia came together
to urge the regime, organizations, and Citizens to commit towards protecting the carbon-rich
peatlands in Indonesia (WWF, 2013). In this region, there is illicit burning which heavily
contributes to air pollution in the area. Burning of carbon releases greenhouse gases into the

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atmosphere that encourages penetration of sunlight into the atmosphere heating it. The excess
heat is unable to escape because of their reduced frequency (WWF, 2013). The weather,
therefore, concentrates in the atmosphere, making the temperatures of the globe to rise higher
than average. Such temperatures endanger the lives of species resulting in their extinction.
In conclusion, the Earth Hour movement is essential, and nations that have not joined the
move should consider being a member. Through the activities, which the group has initiated in
Russia and other countries worldwide, the movement is a solution to global warming. The
government of different countries should select the ambassador of the campaign to ensure that
they positively influence the activities of the Earth Hour to reduce environmental pollution.
Such countries will be able to protect their wildlife, boosting their economy through tourism. The
program also will make weather favorable in such nations, therefore, promoting agriculture. The
importance of the same movement is also evident in Africa in countries like Rwanda, which is
doing well in terms of waste management in Africa. Such nations have experienced the benefits
of using green energy as a means of reducing environmental pollution as well.

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References
WWF. (2013). Landmarks across the world go dark to celebrate primary environmental
outcomes for Earth Hour. Retrieved from: http://wwf.panda.org/?uNewsID=207967
WWF. (2010). Thousands of offices of some of the world’s leading corporations will be
supporting this year’s Earth Hour “lights out” initiative for effective climate change
action. Corporate support swells for Earth Hour. Retrieved from:
http://wwf.panda.org/?190921/Corporate-support-swells-for-Earth-Hour
WWF. (2014). Andy Murray Becomes Global Ambassador for WWF. Retrieved from:
https://www.wwf.org.uk/updates/andy-murray-becomes-global-ambassador-wwf
WWF. (2018). Individuals, businesses and organizations in a record 188 countries and territories
worldwide spark unprecedented conversation and action on stopping the loss of nature.
Earth Hour 2018: Globe unites to celebrate people’s connection to our planet. Retrieved
from: http://wwf.panda.org/?325290