AUSSIES SET TO SWITCH OFF FOR THE PLANET AS EARTH HOUR TURNS 20

Australians will join millions of people and iconic landmarks around the world in switching off their lights at 8.30pm this Saturday to mark the 20th anniversary of Earth Hour.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, with more than 2.2 million people and over 2,000 businesses taking part in the inaugural event to highlight the issue of climate change. It became one of the first viral environmental campaigns and birthed a global movement of solidarity, hope and support for climate action.

To celebrate the 20-year milestone, well-known Australian landmarks will again go dark for the hour, including Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Luna Park Sydney, Brisbane’s Story Bridge, Melbourne’s AAMI Park, The Wheel of Brisbane and Perth’s Bell Tower.

They will join other landmarks and people from over 180 countries and territories taking part in Earth Hour.

The event will also mark the culmination of Challenge 60, a 28‑day movement challenge to raise vital funds to protect wildlife and wild places.

Over the past 20 years, Earth Hour has grown to become the world's largest grassroots movement to protect the planet and has supported tangible impacts, from helping secure a 3.4-million-hectare marine protected area in Argentina to raising funds for a river guard program to protect dolphins in the Mekong River.

But while Earth Hour’s impact has grown, the pressures facing nature continue to escalate. In just one hour in Australia:

• Forests roughly the size of 30 soccer fields could be bulldozed.
• More than 500 native mammals could be displaced, harmed or killed by habitat destruction.
• Over 6,200 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions could be released from forest clearing.
• More than 16,000 kilograms of plastic waste could leak into our environment and oceans.
• The Earth could lose one species forever.

WWF-Australia’s Head of Supporter Mobilisation, Rachael Lance said:

“Earth Hour began here in Australia and has grown into a worldwide moment of action for nature. It shows the power of people coming together to stand up for the places and species we all depend on.

“Every hour matters for our planet. In the time it takes to go for a morning walk, we could lose forests, hundreds of native mammals and release thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gases. Earth Hour is a reminder that when people act together, we can create real change.”

Earth Hour will take place at 8.30pm local time on 28 March. People can learn more and get involved at earthhour.org.au.