Earth Hour is organized by WWF. With almost 5 million supporters and a global network in over 100 countries, it’s one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and build a future where people live in harmony with nature.
Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating. Global landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.
In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.
On Saturday 27 March, Earth Hour 2010 became the biggest Earth Hour ever. A record 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas switched off. People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.
Earth Hour 2011 will take place on Saturday 26 March at 8.30PM (local time). It will continue to be a call to action to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world. A call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the global journey to a sustainable future.
地球一小时是世界自然基金会应对全球气候变化所提出的一项倡议，希望个人、社区、企业和政府在每年3月最后一个星期六20：30-21：30熄灯一小时，来表明他们对应对气候变化行动的支持。过量二氧化碳排放导致的气候变化目前已经极大地威胁到地球上人类的生存。公众只有通过改变全球民众对于二氧化碳排放的态度，才能减轻这一威胁对世界造成的影响。继2009年之后，2010年3月27日，地球一小时活动再次在全球展开。
“地球一小时”活动首次于2007年3月31日晚间8：30在澳大利亚悉尼市展开，当晚，悉尼约有超过220万户的家庭和企业关闭灯源和电器一小时。事后统计，熄灯一小时节省下来的电足够20万台电视机用1小时，5万辆车跑1小时。更多参与的市民反映，当天晚上能看到的星星比平时多了几倍。
随后，“地球一小时”从这个规模有限的开端，以令人惊讶的速度很快席卷了全球。仅仅一年之后，“地球一小时”就已经被确认为全球最大的应对气候变化行动之一，成为一项全球性并持续发展的活动。2008年3月29日，有35个国家多达5000万民众参与其中，并证明了个人的行动凝聚在一起真的可以改变世界。
2009“地球一小时”中国启动仪式2009年，“地球一小时”来到中国有“中国电谷”之称的保定市内地首个官方宣布加入该活动的城市。除此之外，得到WWF官方确认参与活动的中国内地城市还有北京、上海、大连、南京、顺德、杭州、长沙、长春、香港、澳门等城市。2009年3月28日晚20：30至21：30，上述城市共同行动，熄灯一小时。全球有80多个国家和地区3000多个城市共同创造这个美丽的“黑暗时刻”，共同为地球的明天做出贡献。 为此，英格兰国家足球博物馆、世界上最高的酒店迪拜塔、多伦多的加拿大国家电视塔、莫斯科的联邦大厦以及位于罗马的意大利共和国总统的官邸奎里纳勒宫都熄灯一小时。位于香港维多利亚码头的标志性建筑也熄灯一小时，以表达应对气候变化的决心。
（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）
