More than 15 years later, we are now at a tipping point with our climate and nature crises, putting at risk the fate of our one home and all our futures. We are on course to breach by 2030 the 1.5°C global temperature increase limit set by the Paris Climate Agreement, and nature - the source of our very livelihoods and one of our biggest allies against the climate crisis - is also under severe threat,  facing alarming and unprecedented rates of loss globally.

The next 7 years are therefore crucial to all our futures - we have to stay under the 1.5°C climate threshold to avoid irreversible damage to our planet, and we need to reverse nature loss by 2030, ending the decade with more nature and biodiversity than we started, not less.  To make this happen, individuals, communities, businesses, and governments must all urgently step up their efforts to protect and restore our one home. 

With this 2030 goal in mind, we too must step things up. So this year, we’re breathing new life into Earth Hour - our brand, our work, our message, and our mission - creating the Biggest Hour for Earth. How? By calling on our supporters across the globe to switch off their lights and give an hour for Earth, spending 60 minutes doing something - anything - positive for our planet.

With presence in over 190 countries and territories, we can use the power of the people to turn a single Earth Hour into thousands and millions of hours of action and awareness, creating a domino effect of impact that continues well beyond the 60 minutes. Amidst our increasingly divided and polarized societies, the Biggest Hour for Earth becomes a precious moment of unity, reminding the world that our one shared home needs our help and that we all can - and must - play a part in protecting it.

Can an Hour change the world?

• On 25th March 2023 at 8.30pm, as landmarks and homes across the world switch off their lights, we are asking you to spend 60 minutes doing something - anything - positive for our planet.
• Just 60 minutes? Yes, just one hour. It may not seem like much, but the magic happens when you, and those like you in Asia and Africa, North and South America, Oceania and Europe - supporters in over 190 countries and territories - all give an hour for our one home, creating the Biggest Hour for Earth. 
• By doing so, this Hour can shine an unmissable global spotlight on nature loss and climate change, and the need to work together to secure a brighter future for people and the planet. 
• It could compel millions to act, and make millions more take notice. It could unite cities, countries, continents, showing what we all have in common, and what we stand to lose. It could remind us that time is precious - but that we are powerful - inspiring us to make all other hours count. 

Earth Hour 2023 in Central and Eastern Europe - One home.One Future:

SLOVAKIA

This year, WWF-Slovakia is celebrating Earth Hour with the designation  of a municipal protected area on the Hron River which has been created instead of a planned dam. The almost five-kilometer area of Beňadické alúvium Hrona was established by the Municipality of Hronský Beňadik in February 2023. Originally the construction of a small hydropower plant was planned but the local community and conservationists protested against its construction. Thanks to their joint efforts, a protected area will finally be created. This is the very first general river protected area in Slovakia.

On Earth Hour day, 25th March 2023, the WWF-Slovakia team together with volunteers will place signs in the terrain to mark the protected area in which the Hron River will continue to flow freely. Together with the local community, the village of Hronský Beňadik, the Slovak Fishermen's Association, boaters and volunteers, they will clean the banks of the river from waste. The aim of this year's Earth Hour is, among other things, to inspire people to dedicate themselves to any activity for the benefit of nature, to step out of their routine, and to live more responsibly towards nature in the long term.

ROMANIA

“What if every person on the planet decided to do something small to protect the environment every month? However small, but be practiced methodically and for a longer period”.

For #EarthHour2023 , WWF-Romania  is launching a special challenge:

Stop your daily routine and dedicate an hour to the Earth every month. An hour in which, together with family or friends, you can do something related to the protection of nature: cook with local ingredients, renew an old blouse, recycle, plant a tree. ”It's not much, it's not difficult, but if we gather many people conscious about nature, we have a chance to make a change. We have a chance to stop the degradation of nature and help it become even more resilient. For our well-being and for future generations!

Together, we can turn a single Earth Hour into thousands and millions of impactful actions for our common home!

Volunteers for the "Dimitrie Brandza" Botanical Garden in Bucharest with the WWF-Romania team!

On Saturday, 25th March, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., we invite everyone to join us at the "Dimitrie Brandza" Botanical Garden in Bucharest, to celebrate Earth Hour and (re)connect with nature. We donate  a symbolic hour to the planet and help with activities in the garden: we cut the saplings, rake the leaves and feel that together we can do more and better. 

Find out more ways how you can get involved in the Earth Hours initiatives in Romania here.

HUNGARY

WWF-Hungary calls for action on the occasion of this year’s Earth Hour:

What would you spend 60 minutes doing that is good for you and the planet? Choose one of the suggestions of the WWF team! Everyone deserves a little rest - you and the Earth are no exception. It doesn't matter where you live, what language you speak, or what you do, you can find a form of relaxation that is good for you and the planet, even in the simplest of things. We would like to remind you of this on the occasion of Earth Hour 2023. On 25th March 2023, immerse yourself in an activity that makes you happy without burdening your environment, and at 8:30 p.m. turn everything off for an hour! To make your job easier, we have 6 ideas for you, with which you can prove to the world that a sustainable lifestyle can be exciting and does not necessarily involve sacrifices. Choose between culinary activities, spending time in nature, reading about nature or taking care of your own health by working out outdoors and sharing with family and friends!

Find out more ways how you can get involved in the Earth Hours initiatives in Hungary here.

BULGARIA

The symbolic gesture of turning off the lights for an hour on 25th March 2023 at 8:30 p.m. for 60 minutes in Bulgaria  will be supported by a special WWF-Bulgaria campaign and event:

We've lost 69% of our wildlife, but we have a chance to save the rest. Their home. Our home. You don't need to be an expert in forest science or know how to save wild animals to become their most dedicated protector. You can help them even from a distance.

There is no better occasion than Earth Hour  - the largest global initiative dedicated to the protection of our common home - planet Earth. With their donations, wildlife protectors give us even more confidence that we will achieve the ambitious goals we have set for ourselves. Become a protector of the wildlife in Bulgaria. 

Take part in the Earth Hour charity Quiz event on the 25th of March in Sofia. 

CZECHIA

This year WWF in Czechia joins forces with other NGOs to celebrate Earth Hour inviting individuals, companies, municipalities to take part in the movement on 25 March 2023. 

• We want everyone to take a break from the routine and daily distractions and spend 60 minutes doing something positive for our planet. This year we will not only turn off our lights, but also engage in various creative projects. Each of us can help at any time and anywhere. Look at the positive changes you can make - to create the greatest Hour for Earth and to unite globally for 60 minutes to support and celebrate our planet. 2023 must be a year of change to achieve the 2030 goal of being positive for nature.
• Join us on 25th March 2023 at 8:30 p.m. for 60 minutes and spend an hour for the Earth.

Find out more ways how you can get involved in the Earth Hours initiatives in Czechia here.

UKRAINE

This Earth Hour the WWF-Ukraine team calls The Hour of the Future. They will focus on education about Ukraine's ecology and opportunities one can have to influence the current situation. A collection of resources for learning about nature is available at the campaign page to ignite curiosity and promote action for nature. 

You can become a volunteer, or join a training in sustainable practices, learn how to change your habits in order to have less impact on the nature of Ukraine, which is already suffering from the war. Perhaps you are interested in learning about the topic of ecology in general - simply and the main thing?

About Earth Hour

Earth Hour is WWF's flagship global environmental movement. Born in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour has grown to become one of the world's largest grassroots movements for the environment, inspiring individuals, communities, businesses and organizations in more than 180 countries and territories to take tangible environmental action for over a decade. Historically, Earth Hour has focused on the climate crisis, but more recently, Earth Hour has strived to also bring the pressing issue of nature loss to the fore. The aim is to create an unstoppable movement for nature, as it did when the world came together to tackle climate change. The movement recognizes the role of individuals in creating solutions to the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges and harnesses the collective power of its millions of supporters to drive change.

#EarthHour #FortheGreenHeartofEurope #OneHomeOneFuture