March 23rd
Global Earth Hour Campaign
The Earth Hour campaign is always held on the last Saturday in March (except for Easter) and has become one of the largest environmental movements in the world, involving millions of people in more than 180 countries and territories. The event was held for the first time on March 31, 2007 in Australia, when over 2.2 million homes and businesses in Sydney switched off their lights for an hour. Since then, it has become a catalyst for positive environmental impact and is driving major legislative change by harnessing the power of people.
Households, businesses, and public institutions, especially significant cultural landmarks, are turning off their lights and electrical appliances for one hour from 20:30 to 21:30 local time to raise awareness about climate change. The event is organized by the leading global conservation organization, the World Wildlife Fund, which operates in 100 countries and is supported by over one million members in the United States and nearly five million worldwide. The participation of municipalities in the event is significant, as it symbolically demonstrates their commitment to climate protection and the need to address the climate crisis. In the Czech Republic, 133 municipalities, including 12 statutory cities, 84 organizations and companies, 4 monuments, and 6 public events participated in last year's Earth Hour. In Prague, iconic landmarks such as Charles Bridge, Petřín Lookout Tower, National Theatre, and Old Town Hall, as well as 50 other locations, turned off their lights. In smaller municipalities, public lighting was also dimmed. Various entities, including businesses, hotels, cafes, and schools, made ambitious climate commitments. The event encourages individuals to make their own climate commitments and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Municipalities, both large and small, play a crucial role in meeting the EU's commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990. This requires significant effort and investment in renewable energy utilization, energy savings in buildings, and strategic planning for carbon neutrality by 2050. The topic of climate protection and the transition away from fossil fuels is relevant and will continue to be relevant to your municipality. Join this year's Earth Hour, the world's largest campaign for climate protection. Registration will be available from mid-February 2023 at www.earthhour.cz.
