Earth Hour 2019

Earth Hour is around the bend-- just over 2 weeks away! It's one of my favorite "environmental holidays." Why?

1. I love the grass roots growth element of it.

2. I'm energized by its expansion over time, from Sydney, Australia alone in 2007 to an exponential fire burst of every country being involved in just a few short years--most recently, over 180 of the 195 world countries and territories.

3. It's like a virtual "wave" across the globe, in your time zone on Saturday, March 30th, from 8:30-9:30 pm, where your lights go out and you keep passing the (extinguished) torch! In doing so, you are messaging the world that climate change and our planet Earth are important!

4. You can make a small yet powerful statement in your time zone, giving an hour to "unplug," which then ties to the tech-side of GTG.

5. It's a positive event. A non-partisan, taking-action kind of way of raising awareness. You can do it it a big or small way, and be part of a global movement. This feels good, making your voice heard.

6. I've been taking part in Earth Hour since the 3rd one, in 2009 (including speaking to the Maryland House of Delegates Health & Government Operations Committee in 2011. By this point, it's now a time-honored tradition!!

Earth Hour has a slew of resources--here are some handy links to help you out.

• Earth Hour: What Is Earth Hour
• World Wildlife Fund: Earth Hour
• Earth Hour: Info & Take Part
• Earth Hour: Educators Information Booklet
• Earth Hour: Youth Groups Information Booklets
• Earth Hour: Toolkits
• Earth Hour Digital Posters
• Earth Hour: Map
• Earth Hour: Connect2Earth Stories
• Earth Hour: Cities 
• Earth Hour: Businesses
• Earth Hour: Event Organizers
• Earth Hour: Hotels

Looking at the latest reports over the last few months, general consensus puts us at a dozen years away from being at the tipping point. (Need to verify that stat? Check out these resources on climate change to verify why it is indeed important):

The Guardian (10-8-18): "We have 12 Years to Limit Climate Change Catastrophe, Warn UN"

The Guardian (10-8-18): "Overwhelmed by climate change? Here's what you can do"

The New York Times (2-14-19): Skipping School to Save the Earth (March 15th is the next school skip day)

The Guardian (3-4-19): "Adults Failed to Take Climate Action: Meet the Young Activists Stepping 

Up"

Ocean Leadership (11-13-14): "Effects of Climate Change ‘Irreversible,’ U.N. Panel Warns in 

Report"

Earth Hour banner and poster from https://www.earthhour.org/, video from https://youtu.be/wQ6S-pkbgB0