Earth Hour may be only a 60 minute event, but it’s purpose is to prove that even the smallest actions contribute to a more environmentally conscious and sustainable way of living. Below you’ll find five ideas for earth hour activities!
The idea that each one of us can make a difference with small, every day actions is exactly what Of Houses and Trees stands for and lines up with how I try to live my life. As the Earth Hour website says, “No one causes climate change in isolation and no one can tackle it alone. Changing climate change requires innovation in ambition, vision and collaboration and it starts with each of us.”
What started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia as a one-city affair has grown to a worldwide event. Ready to learn more? Keep reading!
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What is Earth Hour?
Earth Hour happens every year on March 25 beginning at 8:30pm local time, when people all around the world switch off the lights for one hour. In the beginning, Earth Hour was thought of more as a symbolic gesture. But today it’s grown into something that represents a true desire for change.
Creator of the event, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), believes Earth Hour drives eco-responsible legislation, promotes the protection of forests, oceans and wildlife, encourages sustainable lifestyles and helps spark global awareness about environmental issues. And, as WWF says:
“Every year, we countdown together across the globe to celebrate Earth Hour and take one iconic action: switch off the lights. But it is so much more than that. It is a symbol of unity. It is a symbol of hope. It is a demonstration of the power of collective action for our future and the planet’s.”
5 Simple + Fun Earth Hour Activities
Now that you know a bit more about Earth Hour, what are some things you can do to participate? Well, you could sit around in the dark and contemplate the meaning of life. But really, who wants to do that? So just do this stuff instead!
Need help choosing eco-conscious furniture and decor for your home? That’s what I’m here for!
Go for a walk
Head outside and take a stroll. If you live near a forest, river, lake, mountain range or the ocean – inhale the beauty of the natural world and remember why we crazy humans need events like Earth Hour to remind us how lucky we are to call this planet home.
Pick up the acoustic
Nothing like lighting some candles and strumming/singing away whilst imagining it’s the 90s and you’re on MTV Unplugged.
Work it out
Candlelight yoga, candlelight pilates, candlelight indoor soccer. On second thought, maybe no candles for that one. Instead – blackout indoor soccer. Or you could sit on the couch and eat chips and then tell everyone you worked out. Your choice.
Game on
Once our kids are a little older and are actually awake at 8:30pm we are totally going to do this one. You could either play a traditional game like a board game or a word game. Or, you could make up your own lights-out themed game. My sister, cousin and I used to play a game in the dark called String Game where we would meticulously wind string all the way around and across a room creating a massive spiderweb and then run through it in the dark like maniacs and destroy it in seconds.
Be a joiner
Read about all the ways you can join in on the Earth Hour website.
Earth Hour Should Be Every Hour
Finally, for things you can do year round to contribute bit by bit to a happier, healthier planet go here. And here are a few of my own tips on helping the planet.
Have you ever participated in Earth Hour? Do you plan on doing so this year? What do you like to do when the lights go out… other than sleep, of course. Actually, sleep should be added to the list of totally legitimate Earth Hour activities and I should have included it above. Comment below if you love me as much as you love our planet!
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Posted on March 25, 2017 (Last Updated on March 15, 2023)
Need help choosing eco-conscious furniture and decor for your home? That’s what I’m here for!
Former architectural technologist. Current treehugger.
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The Edmonton Oilers game is scheduled during Earth hour. Somebody needs to tell the NHL.
#boycottNHL… just kidding!