23 March: Earth Hour

Earth Hour, an initiative to raise awareness about climate change

For more than a decade, hundreds of cities around the world have been joining together to carry out a one-hour blackout in their most emblematic places to raise awareness of the problem of climate change and to warn that decisive action is needed to stop it. This project, which was set up by the environmental conservation organisation World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), is called Earth HourExternal link, opens in new window.  and every year more places join in and the proposed initiatives, which always include a one-hour blackout, are innovated. 

We are living in a decisive decade in which we must make a firm commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out in the 2030 Agenda, a goal that is also being promoted through Earth Hour. An international commitment reaffirmed following the ambitious global agreement established at the 15th United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP15) to protect and restore nature by 2030.

How did Earth Hour come around? 

In March 2007, Sydney (Australia) came up with the idea of turning off the lights on buildings and monuments for one hour as a symbolic gesture to draw attention to the importance of the problem of climate change. In the same year, San Francisco (USA) also carried out a similar proposal, which it christened Lights Out. 

One year later, in 2008, 35 countries and four hundred cities joined the Australian initiative. More than a decade later, Earth Hour 2024 will be celebrated on 23 March and has become a powerful voice for companies and institutions in more than 200 countries as well as for millions of people.    

When is Earth Hour and what time is it?

This blackout takes place in cities that want to participate in the initiative on the last Saturday of March, from 20:30 to 21:30 local time in each country. Therefore, Earth Hour 2024 will take place on 23 March. 

What activities are carried out?

Although the main event consists of companies, institutions, monuments or emblematic places switching off their lights for one hour, Earth Hour wants to go further creating The Biggest Hour for the EarthExternal link, opens in new window. . This way all citizens are invited to participate during, before and after the hour in any small activity that will have an impact on the future:

 Learning more about our planet

 Spending time in contact with nature

Participating in a restoration effort

Dedicating ourselves to inspiring others

In 2024, WWF also proposes for third year to "Go around the Planet" with a race that will cover the entire 40,000 kilometres of the Earth's perimeter, which they have christened #KMForThePlanet. The way to participate is simple, you only need to register through the official website, choose a sport - the challenge can be done by running, walking, swimming, skating or cycling - and the distance you want to do. From that moment on, you will be able to access an accreditation bib and all that's left to do is to add up the kilometres.