Turn out the lights!

This Saturday, people around the world are switching off during Earth Hour to get switched on to saving the planet. Here’s how to take part

Lit-up nightime landmarks like Tower Bridge are not often in the dark. But this Saturday all over the world famous buildings like St Paul’s Cathedral, Toronto’s CN Tower and Sydney Harbour Bridge will switch off for 60 minutes in support of Earth Hour.

So what exactly is it all about? Yves Calmette, from the World Wildlife Fund, which now co-ordinates the event, explains: “The first Earth Hour was in Sydney in 2007.

“It saw 2.2 million people turn off their lights to show the climatesceptic Australian government people were concerned about climate change.”

Since then, Earth Hour has grown to become the world’s largest grassroots environmental initiative, uniting over a million people who take part in more than 190 countries.

Here in Ireland it takes place from 8.30 to 9.30pm and the more people who take part the better for our struggling Earth.

Yves says: “The next few years are crucial to all our futures. We need to stay under the 1.5°C climate threshold to avoid irreversible damage to our planet.

“Earth Hour aims to provide 60-minutes of global unity to highlight the need for change.”

Hayley Fowler, Professor of Climate Change Impacts in the school of engineering at Newcastle University, says, “To meet a 1.5°C warming target we need to reduce CO2 emissions by the same rate each year as happened during the pandemic – around 7 per cent.

“This is an enormous task, and currently emission levels are still increasing year on year.

“A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, and has the potential to fuel bigger and more intense storms. Higher temperatures intensify extreme weather events such as flooding, heatwaves and wildfires, which we’ve already seen happening around the world,” says Hayley.

But we can all make a difference - and it starts with switching off.

Sustainable lifestyle expert Wendy Graham says: “Turning off the lights for an hour may feel like a tiny drop in the ocean.

“But small individual actions, such as reducing your energy usage, can collectively have a huge positive environmental impact.

“Earth Hour also sends a message to governments and businesses that the public wants greater action on climate change.”

Here Wendy explains how you can take part.

GO OFF GRID

For one hour, turn off your lights, electrical items and delay using appliances such as the washing machine.

HOST A CANDLELIT DINNER

Why not gather friends and have a candlelit dinner? Let them know beforehand why the lights will be out. To stop food waste, ensure they take home leftovers.

UNPLUG Soothe your soul with music to lower stress levels, reduce anxiety and promote relaxation by using a battery or solar-powered radio. Unplugging from screens (TV, ipad, laptop) is another great way to cut down on your energy use for an hour.

TRY STARGAZING Reconnect with nature by just sitting back and contemplating the night sky. Research by Coventry University has found this is a very good way to boost emotional health - participants reported feelings of peace and relaxation, as well as fostering a sense of awe at the natural world.

If you have children get them involved too. Visit earthsky.org for tips on what to look out for.

TURN OFF YOUR CHARGER

There’s a common misconception that when your phone reaches full battery power on a charger it won’t be using energy from the plug point, but that’s not true.

Chargers still use energy even when not actively charging your phone. Unplug for an hour and save energy – and get into the habit even after Earth Hour.

ENJOY A CANDLE-LIT BATH

If you want to relax during Earth Hour, this is a lovely soothing way to do it. Opt for soy or beeswax candles as a more sustainable alternative to paraffin wax, which is derived from fossil fuel.

FUTURE RESOLUTIONS

Earth Hour is a great time to also consider what you can do from now on to help the environment.

You could use the time to make an environmental resolution such as always turning the lights off when leaving a room, not leaving your appliances on standby or even switching to a more ethical bank that doesn’t fund fossil fuels.

So get ready to turn off and tune in to this big global get-together

■■ For more sustainable living tips from Wendy, visit moralfibres.co.uk; find info on Earth Hour at wwf.org. uk/earth-hour

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Small actions like reducing your energy can have a big impact collectively