Millions of participants will speak up for nature on their social media platforms during a global online event to celebrate Earth Hour 2021 on 27 March at 8.30pm.
Earth Hour is WWF’s flagship global environmental movement which started in Sydney in 2007. According to WWF, Earth Hour has grown to become one of the world’s largest grassroots movements for the environment, inspiring individuals, communities, businesses and organisations in more than 180 countries and territories to take tangible environmental action for more than a decade.
“The Earth Hour movement has been celebrated in South Africa and the world over for more than a decade,” said CEO of WWF South Africa, Dr Morné du Plessis. “This year, we have an incredible opportunity to join hands as citizens of the world during a global virtual event. We are calling on our supporters to shine a spotlight on some of the most pressing environmental issues of the day by signing up as a ‘nature hero’ for the hour.”
On the night of Earth Hour, WWF South Africa will share a special Earth Hour 2021 campaign video narrated by the multi-award-winning actor, director and playwright Dr John Kani and encourage participants to share this on their social media platforms.
This video shows the links between pandemics, climate change and pollution, and the role of nature in addressing these challenges.
To receive the video, sign up here www.wwf.org.za/earth_hour/.
The theme for Earth Hour 2021 focuses on Climate Change to Save Earth. This year, key political decisions will be taken by world leaders on nature, climate change and sustainable development which will set the course of our future. These decisions will affect the health of our planet and our own future for decades to come.
“Healthy natural ecosystems are the cornerstone of thriving, equitable and sustainable societies,” said Marco Lambertini, director general at WWF International. “2021 is a crucial year for humanity. As the world tries to turn the tide and recover from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic and rebuild itself, we need to put nature at the centre of our recovery efforts to future proof our economies and societies,” he said.
Lambertini said Earth Hour was a critical moment for individuals, leaders, and environmentalists to unite and call for urgent action to reverse nature loss and secure a nature-positive world by 2030.
For more information on how to be a ‘Nature Hero for Earth Hour’ this year, visit www.wwf.org.za/earth_hour/.
Hashtags: #EarthHour #Connect2Earth
