Load shedding: Here is an hour where you can choose

People and cities around the world are readying themselves for Earth Hour which takes place this Saturday (28 March 2015) between 8.30pm and 9.30pm . This year’s campaign is focused on climate change which impacts on all aspects of our lives, especially in terms of our food, energy and water security.

Climate change is the greatest threat to humanity and nature of our time. While we are the first generation to experience the impact of climate change, experts say we are the last generation to be able to do something to slow it down.

Earth Hour was initiated by WWF in 2007 as part of a global campaign to raise environmental awareness. It is observed on the last Saturday of March each year. Hundreds of millions of people in 160 countries and over 7000 cities are expected to observe the symbolic hour of darkness by switching of their lights for the hour this year. The idea is not only to save energy during Earth Hour but also to raise awareness about climate change.

In terms of climate change, South Africa is already experiencing higher rainfall patterns in some parts of the country and drought in others, all of which has a direct impact on agriculture and food production. Experts also warn that climate change will put our already water-stressed country under increased pressure, impact on biodiversity and have implications for the way in which we deal with our energy crisis which requires careful planning for sustainability. One indicator of how seriously climate change is affecting South Africa is that

average temperatures in South Africa are rising at twice the global average.

For more information on Earth Hour, visit the South African campaign website at www.wwf.org.za/earthhour

Event in Louis Trichardt: Earth Hour 2015: annual lights-off event