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Earth HourBy Toronto4Kids
Turn your light off!
Earth hour began in Australia, in 2007. The WWF (The World Wide Fund for Nature/World Wildlife Fund) launched this initiative as a campaign to get 2.2 million homes and businesses in Sydney to turn their lights off for one hour. It's now grown into an annual international event. In 2008, 50 million people in 400 cities, on all seven continents participated. Imagine such landmarks as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome's Coliseum and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square, all plunged into darkness, to support a cause that now grows more critical by the hour.
Earth Hour takes place on the last Saturday of March and households and businesses are asked to turn off their non-essential lights and electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness about climate change.
This year, Earth Hour is aiming to reach one billion people in more than 1000 cities, all joining together in a global effort to show that it is possible to take action on global warming. Over 64 countries and territories are currently registered in Earth Hour 2009, and that number will undoubtedly grow, as people recognize how such a simple act can have such a profound result in influencing change.
If you want to help our Earth, take part in this rapidly growing movement by turning your lights off on Saturday March 28 at 8.30pm local time. If you'd like to be counted in, you need to sign up at www.earthhour.org. Don't wait until the last minute as this site gets very busy!
Everyone can make a difference so get your kids involved! No lights? They'll think that's really cool!
Fun things to do with the kids during Earth Hour
• Take the family for a walk in your neighbourhood and count how many houses have their lights out. • Curl up in bed and read books by flashlight. •Tell spooky stories in the dark. • Play board games by candlelight. Be careful with the candles! • Have a night picnic. Prepare all your foods in advance and spread a blanket in the living room. •Camp out in your backyard or build a fort. •If the weather holds out, host a barbecue for family, friends and neighbours. • Roast marshmallows on the BBQ. • Take the dog out for a nightly stroll. • Get some sleep. It's quiet!
© Toronto4Kids - March 2009. This article was accurate at the time of its publication, and information is subject to change without notice. This article may not be reproduced in part or in its entirety without the expressed written permission from Toronto4Kids. |
