On March 28, 2009, at 8:30 pm, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) wants you to turn off your lights for Earth Hour and join a billion other people across the Earth in showing our world leaders that you want decisive action on global warming.[social_buttons]

“When leaders gather in Copenhagen in December 2009 to negotiate a new deal on climate they must feel that the eyes of the world are upon them. Earth Hour provides an opportunity for the public to send a powerful signal that they are watching and expect action.” -Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International

As of today, 74 cities in 62 countries have committed to Earth Hour 2009. Individuals, governments, and businesses are invited to take part in this historic climate event, with the goal of one billion people in 1,000 cities across the globe, all turning off their lights and appliances for one hour.

“2009 is the year we decide the future of the earth. It is the year when the world meets to agree on a plan to reduce carbon emissions across the globe. This is the time to invest in new ways of doing business in a new low carbon economy. We must all step over the line together if we are to succeed.” -Andy Ridley, Executive Director of Earth Hour Global

Why Earth Hour?

The aim of Earth Hour is to educate the global community about the effects of climate change caused by carbon emissions, which pose a great threat to our life here on Earth. We can work to help minimize that threat only by changing our attitude about using energy sources with high CO2 emissions.

By participating in Earth Hour, we are contributing our voices to a global message that climate change does affect all of us, and that taking action on global warming is the responsibility of the entire global community.

The first event was held in Sidney, Australia, on March 31st, 2007. Over two million people and two thousand businesses turned out their lights at the same time for a public awareness campaign about climate change. During the 2008 event, 50 million people in 35 countries turned off their lights to support Earth Hour, spreading the message across the world that the actions of individuals working collectively can and will change the world.

Some of the most recognizable man-made landmarks on Earth will also flip the switch this year, including the Sydney Opera House, Burj Dubai (the world’s tallest building), Moscow’s Federation Tower, and the CN Tower in Toronto. Major cities that have committed already include Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Mexico City, London, Hong Kong, Moscow, Sydney, Rome, Manila, Copenhagen, Oslo, Cape Town, Warsaw, Lisbon, Singapore, Istanbul, Toronto, and Dubai.

Sign up for Earth Hour 2009 and find out how to run your own Earth Hour event in your city!

Image: tammyjq41 at Flickr under Creative Commons License