Earth Hour 2024 | Press Release ~ The largest global environmental movement Earth Hour returns for its 18th edition with the Biggest Hour for Earth as it unites millions around the world in celebration of our planet ~
 

24 March 2024, Petaling Jaya – From 8:30 pm local time on 23 March, WWF’s Earth Hour, the world’s largest grassroots environmental movement, returned for its 18th edition with the ‘Biggest Hour for Earth’ in support and celebration of our planet. In an increasingly divided world, Earth Hour serves as a beacon of positivity, hope, and inspiration to rally as many people as possible, in particular people who are not fully engaged with the environmental crisis yet.

Since its creation in 2007, Earth Hour has been known for its “lights off” moment. As landmarks and homes across the world switched off, supporters were also invited to symbolically switch off and 'Give an hour for Earth’, spending 60 minutes doing something - anything -  positive for our planet. In 2023, over 410,000 hours were given to our planet by supporters in 190 countries and territories, representing 90% of the planet, making it the Biggest Hour for Earth. 

According to Sophia Lim, Executive Director and CEO of WWF-Malaysia, “In the face of a polarised society struggling to tackle the scale and pace of the dual climate and nature crises, Earth Hour is all about bringing people together for a common cause. It’s crucial to get involved, if we want to raise awareness about the environmental challenges and bend the curve of biodiversity loss by 2030.  Our aim is to show that environmentalism can be accessible, enjoyable, and personally meaningful. Together, as we unite for Earth Hour, we not only highlight the urgent issues we face but also celebrate the innovations and solutions that can lead us to a brighter future.”

Earth Hour 2024 aims to foster the Biggest Hour for Earth, emphasising the collective power of individuals and communities in addressing climate and nature loss challenges. Its focus is about increasing awareness about the climate crisis and inspiring individuals to take actions in their daily lives on sustainable practices, and a shared responsibility for a resilient and hopeful future.

In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in the Malaysian mindset towards embracing more sustainable living practices, indicating a promising trend towards environmental consciousness. However, it is also important to instil conservation awareness from a young age. At WWF-Malaysia, the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) programme aims to equip young people with the skills and mindset to address global environmental challenges. The scope of ESD has gone beyond formal education to include sustainable cities, biodiversity, poverty reduction, and responsible consumption and production.

“Every great wave starts with individual droplets coming together. Change often begins with individual action, and when aggregated, these actions can lead to significant environmental benefits. It is about building a culture of responsibility and mindfulness towards our planet, where every action counts,” added Lim. 

Throughout Malaysia, notable buildings and landmarks joined in by switching off their non-essential lights for one hour. These include the KL Tower and ILHAM Tower in Kuala Lumpur, Fort Margherita in Kuching, and Inari Amertron Berhad in Penang, among others.

The "Give an Hour for Earth" movement reinforces that Earth Hour extends beyond the act of switching off lights for 60 minutes. The call-to-action makes participation even easier and fun, encouraging individuals not only to switch off lights symbolically but also to take 60 minutes to do good for the planet while doing something they love. Earth Hour's evolution aligns with the changing landscape, emphasising the collective power of individuals in making a lasting impact for a more sustainable and hopeful future.

Earth Hour is more than a moment; it's a movement that for the last 18 years has continued to inspire and mobilise people globally, reminding us of our collective responsibility to create a more hopeful and resilient future for our planet.