Uniting for Earth in Dark!

It all began 4 years ago in Australia.

Over 2 million individuals and 2 thousand business companies turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change.

One year later the event became a Global Event, where over 50 million joined and this became the birth of Earth Hour.

Global and local landmarks stood in darkness across the globe for one hour every year since then.

In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour.

On Saturday 27 March, Earth Hour 2010 became the biggest Earth Hour ever.

A record 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas switched off.

Tonight, Maldives begins its 24 hour countdown to embrace Earth Hour 2011.

Earth Hour 2011 will take place on Saturday 26 March at 8.30PM.

EarthHour 2011. Photo:google;www.earthhour.org

Earth Hour 2011 in Maldives

Earthhourmaldives has announced that Maldives will participate in the global event by turning off the lights of iconic buildings and landmarks; from the Maldives Monetary Authority, the Velaanaage Office Building, The President’s Office, to large private buildings, to the Maldives National University, colleges, schools and government buildings in the 200 inhabited islands.

Moosa Waseem, a prominent news reporter and anchor of MNBC One television channel; Mohamed Zahir, an environmental expert from the Ministry of Housing and Environment; Ibrahim Ali and Mariyam Unoosha, music artists who represent the National Center for the Arts; and Ibrahim Fazeel, better known as Oppo, a football player from the Maldives National Football Team are 5 Ambassadors from Maldives who will carry forward the message of the Earth Hour, beyond the hour.

Community organizations such as the Scouts Association of Maldives, ECOCARE Maldives, Maldives Girl Guide Association and Junior Chambers International Maldives are also participating in events.

People will be walking on the streets of Malé, beginning from the western end of Ameenee Magu, all the way down, coming to a standstill at the platform on the sea wall facing Varunulaa Raalhugandu, says Earthhourmaldives.

Switch off Lights for Earth

Maldives being a country in spotlight for fighting climate change, is now counting towards the final switch off, to mark an hour for Earth.

Earth Hour 2011 different from 2010

Earth Hour 2011 asks participants to go beyond the hour and even beyond climate change by committing to an act that benefits the environment and celebrating their commitment to the planet with the people of the world by participating in Earth Hour.

EarthHour2011- Go beyond the Hour. Photo: Google

FAQ about EarthHour (Sourced from EarthHour Official Website)

1. What is Earth Hour?

Earth Hour is a global grass-roots movement encouraging individuals, businesses and governments around the world to take positive actions for the environment, and celebrating their commitment to the planet by switching off their lights for one designated hour.

2. When does Earth Hour take place?

Saturday March 26 between 8.30PM and 9.30PM

3. Does this mean during Earth Hour I have to turn off everything in my home and use absolutely no electricity?

No. The main point of Earth Hour is to show the world that a solution to the world’s environmental challenges is possible if we work on them together – together our actions add up!

Earth Hour only asks that you turn off non-essential lighting.

4. Isn’t switching the lights off dangerous? What about public safety?

Earth Hour only asks people to turn off the non-essential lights for one hour – not lights that affect public safety. Earth Hour is also a celebration of the planet so it’s important to enjoy the moment in a safe environment.

5. What candles should I use for my Earth Hour event?

During Earth Hour please choose natural, not petroleum-based products