The Low-Emission Mission

Each year on March 23, the eco-conscious world voluntarily switches off non-essential lighting and electrical devices for an hour to mark the Earth Hour, an initiative of the World Wide Fund (WWF). It is popularly called the light-off movement and begins at 8:30 pm local time. In 2023, the Earth Hour movement is estimated to have saved 4,10,000 hours from 190 countries and territories. 

Ravi Singh, secretary general and CEO of WWF India, says, “The Earth Hour is the world’s largest grassroots environment movement that urges everyone to spend 60 minutes for the planet’s future.” 

At the heart of this movement is the power of collective and voluntary action at the global scale. Satish Kumar, president and executive director of the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE), a think tank for advocating an efficient energy services market in India, says, “The Earth Hour showcases the potent force of collective action, as evidenced by a 4% average decrease in electricity usage across 10 nations in six years. Consider the potential impact if millions participate in it: 10 million urban households (roughly three times the size of Delhi) turning off lights and electronics for one hour could save enough energy to power over 1,000 houses for a year.” 

This year, the official website of the Earth Hour India (https://earthhour.wwfindia.org) offers various ideas to eco-conscious Indians about how they can give 60 minutes to the earth under heads like fitness and wellness, nature, food, sustainability, arts and creativity, entertainment, etc. 

The WWF has built an online interactive tool Hour Bank to facilitate the adoption of the Earth Hour idea among concerned citizens. It allows them to find activities that suit their taste and habits while contributing to the Earth Hour. Such an activity could be an engrossing walk through the woods, cooking sustainable food, learning to grow own food or integrating eco-friendly alternatives to usual household products in one’s lifestyle. 

The WWF India has roped in celebrities and influencers from these fields to popularise the idea of the Earth Hour. Fitness is emerging as a popular activity to let concerned people meet the goals of the Earth Hour. It is not a coincidence that badminton champion P.V. Sindhu is the goodwill ambassador of the Earth Hour India 2024. She says, “I am giving an hour for the earth by stepping out of the gym and working out in nature once a week. Join me this Earth Hour to create a more hopeful and resilient future by doing something positive for the planet. Let's make this the Biggest Hour for Earth.” 

Fitness and outdoor activities have attracted common people to the idea of the Earth Hour, and big brands in this field have also jumped in the fray to build the momentum. The WWF India has teamed up with the global sports goods and apparel brand Decathlon, which offers three challenges—Walk for the Earth with WWF, Cycle for the Earth with WWF and Run for the Earth with WWF—which participants can complete through the Decathlon Play app. 

While the WWF hopes that the amalgamation of cutting on carbon emissions with fitness goals can help common people understand the climate crisis while having a personal stake in it, it realises that even if fitness goals are not met, the idea of the Earth Hours and its awareness matters. 

Satish Kumar of AEEE agrees when he says, “While the Earth Hour is not solely about measurable savings, it prompts reflection on intentional behaviour shaping regional demand. Leveraging this collective action could offer vital demand-control strategies during crises. The hour symbolises hope, inspiring global cooperation and actions for a more sustainable future, echoing the power of even the smallest contributions.” 

In times when the impact of climate change is being witnessed in the form of glacial melts, uneven rainfall and increased heat, it is imperative that individuals take matter in their hands and do their bit for the earth.