Every year on the last Saturday of March, millions of people across the world switch off their lights for one hour in a symbolic call to protect the planet. This event, known as Earth Hour, is one of the world’s largest environmental movements, organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to raise awareness about environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss and the urgent need for sustainability.
The World Wildlife Fund organized the first Earth Hour in Sydney, Australia in 2007, where more than 2.2 million individuals and 2,000 businesses turned their lights out for one hour. In 2008, Earth Hour went global, becoming the world’s largest environmental activism event. While the event is best known for its lights-off moment, its impact extends far beyond that single hour. It serves as a reminder that small actions, when taken collectively, can drive meaningful change for the planet.
In 2025, Earth Hour will take place on March 22 from 8:30 to 9:30 PM. This movement continues its mission to raise awareness about key climate challenges, calling on all countries, companies and individuals to participate. Beyond just turning off the lights, what does Earth Hour truly represent, and how can you take part? Here’s everything you need to know about Earth Hour 2025 and why it still matters today.
Why it matters
Earth Hour has grown to engage millions of supporters in more than 185 countries and territories, inspiring individuals and organizations worldwide to take action for the environment, and driving major legislative changes by harnessing the power of the crowd. As the movement grows, the one-hour lights-out event continues to be the symbol of a broader commitment toward nature and our planet.
While the organization doesn’t have data on how much power has been conserved during Earth Hour, the movement worldwide engaged people in more than 180 countries and territories in 2024, conserving more than 1.4 million hours of electricity.
For the past 10 years, people around the world have come together every Earth Hour to support efforts to tackle climate change. As more urgent climate challenges emerged, the initiative has shifted its focus. In addition to raising awareness about climate change, the initiative seeks to highlight new challenges: the staggering loss of biodiversity and nature and the importance of conserving freshwater ecosystems.
Initiative’s key achievements
Since the launch of the initiative, several countries have benefitted. WWF-Uganda created the world’s first Earth Hour Forest. Argentina used its 2013 Earth Hour campaign to help pass a Senate bill for a 3.4 million hectares Marine Protected Area in the country
Moreover, thousands of wood-saving stoves were distributed to families in Madagascar and solar-powered lights were installed in three villages without electricity in India.
In Paraguay, WWF used the Earth Hour platform to build public support to gain an extension of the logging moratorium, helping to reduce deforestation. The initiative also supported the launch of education programs for schools in Thailand and Taiwan.
Furthermore, hundreds of thousands of LED lights were installed by girl scouts in the USA and more than 2,123 mitigation actions were submitted by Earth Hour City Challenge 2014 participating cities.
How you can participate in Earth Hour 2025
There are several ways to participate in Earth Hour beyond just turning off your lights. Here are a few you can do this year:
Install a rain barrel to save water
Did you know that the average roof collects 600 gallons of water for every inch of rain? In recent years, climate change has led to prolonged droughts and occasional turbulent storms. Rain barrels can help reduce erosion and flooding, helping the planet and providing savings on water bills.
Plan an outdoor adventure
Use your Earth Hour to explore nature. Go hiking with a friend, challenge your kids to a bike race, or push yourself with a rock climbing challenge. It may seem simple, but taking one hour to reconnect with nature can help you remember why we need to protect the Earth.
Grow your own veggies
Grab your gardening tools and help grow your own dinner. Planting a small garden encourages you to eat healthier and reduces your waste footprint since you’re growing food at home and avoiding packaging.
Plant a tree
Our Earth is losing around 100,000 square kilometers of forests each year, so there’s never been a more vital time to start planting trees. A tree absorbs anywhere between 10 and 40kg kilograms of carbon dioxide per year. Planting a tree this Earth Hour also brings coolness to your yard and provides a home for birds and wildlife.
Post on social media
If you are unable to embark on outdoor activities, take the time to post about climate change on your social media feed. In a study, nearly 80 percent of respondents said social media is more likely to encourage them to act more sustainably than documentaries, news articles, or government campaigns.
Assemble a nature clean-up crew
Assemble a nature clean-up crew with your friends and family to clean up areas around you for Earth Hour. Everyday items like plastic bags and soda cans can take up to 100 years and much longer to decompose, potentially releasing water- and vegetation-harming chemicals. Even food waste like orange peels is harmful. It attracts wild animals and erodes their natural instincts to avoid humans.
Upcycle something
The fashion industry produces around 100 billion garments a year and 75 percent of those clothes are thrown away, packing landfills and contributing to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This year, use your Earth Hour to upcycle clothing or home goods. Help your kid turn an old t-shirt into a tie-dye statement piece or revive your worn-out jeans with colorful patches.
Enjoy night-time photography
During this year’s Earth Hour, plan an evening outing and try some night nature photography. Focusing your lens on our world after dark can help you discover new and surprising things about our planet. This will recharge your commitment to keeping it healthy and beautiful in the process.
Read: Don’t give up on sustainability; you may lose the race
Earth Hour 2025 is more than just a symbolic act of turning off the lights, it is a reminder that every small action can contribute to a greater global impact. Over the years, this movement has not only raised awareness about climate change and biodiversity loss but has also inspired tangible conservation efforts worldwide, from tree planting and renewable energy projects to legislative victories for environmental protection.
As we face growing environmental challenges, Earth Hour serves as an opportunity to reflect on our role in protecting the planet and to take meaningful action, both during the event and beyond. Whether it’s reducing energy consumption, advocating for sustainability, or reconnecting with nature, every effort counts.
