Earth Hour 2012

Overview

Earth Hour is a symbolic action. Although there is carbon saved by turning things off, the point is the unmissable demonstration that a huge chunk of the world's population caring about the same thing at the same time. If we can manage this for Earth Hour, why not for grander environmental things? The Hour started in Sydney in 2007, and has become an international event in the years since. There are Earth Hour events in Kenya, India and Ireland these days, but you don't need to travel so far afield to find a way to join in this time around.

At its simplest, all you need to do is stay home and turn off the lights. But if you'd like to have a more social darkened moment, there's a new 'unplugged' sideline, with events like an Earth Hour acoustic set from The Hello Morning, or a nearly lightless, long distance Earth Hour Bike Ride out west. Along King Street, businesses have signed up to dim their lights and let you dine or drink by candlelight. Cafe Buzzbar and Bank's Thai are among the 43 joining in, with a full list hanging conveniently in the window of the Watershed. You join in with the broader environmental message, or just go in for the spectacle. But any of these small acts could lead on to bigger things.

Image of Earth Hour Switch Off 2010 by Sewell / WWF.