Lights Out on Saturday Night?: Earth Hour 2011

The world’s largest voluntary action takes place this Saturday, March 26, 2011. Organized by the World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour 2011 intends to be bigger than ever.

This year’s theme has expanded to not only promote awareness of climate change, but also environmental sustainability. The WWF asks that individuals, businesses and governments turn off their lights from 8.30pm-9.30pm, as well as pledge to make one change for the planet.

Suggestions for pledges? Depending on your circumstances, it could range from something as simple as taking the stairs more often to organizing a waste separation system for your local community.

The move will serve as a public declaration that you believe protecting the planet is important. Jim Gradoville, CEO of WWF China, described the adjustment to this year’s initiative as “a response to a global community seeking to do more for Earth Hour.”

“Around the world and in China, people have been asking if they can do more than turning off their lights – if they can take some personal action in their daily lives for the planet. And some want to take actions not directly linked to climate change. That’s why we’re rolling out Earth Hour 2011 with changes,” he said.

Within China, companies, provincial governments and businesses have already signed up to join the cause. Leading Internet company Baidu has pledged to reduce office resource consumption (i.e. paper, water and electricity) by 30 percent. Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, has pledged to place 50,000-60,000 bicycles on its streets for low-priced public rental in order to cut carbon emissions. Meanwhile, actress and WWF Earth Hour Global Ambassador Li Bingbing has pledged to be a vegetarian for at least 100 days of the year.

In 2010, Earth Hour made history as the greatest voluntary action ever witnessed – over 1.3 billion individuals participated, and lights were switched off in 4,616 cities and towns across 128 countries. Millions took part in China, including government sign-ups in over 33 cities, as well as Beijing’s very own Forbidden City.

Let’s make it happen again, folks. Spread the word to everyone you know. To register your own pledge, visit www.earthhour.org.cn. For more information, visit www.beyondthehour.org.

UPDATE (March 26, 2011, 3:14PM): We've just been informed that there are record numbers of Chinese cities uniting for Earth Hour 2011. This will be China's best ever participation of Earth Hour, with 85 cities – including Sichuan, Shanghai, Jilin and Jiangsu – pledging to turn the lights off. Beijing will be doing its part, too; Badaling Great Wall, Bird's Nest and the Water Cube will all be pitch black tonight. That's the spirit.