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 took place on Saturday 26 March at 8.30PM (local time). It continued 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。

相关阅读

全球熄灯响应“地球一小时”

“地球一小时”活动视频

世界各地熄灯响应“地球一小时”

'Big Tree' formed to mark Earth Day

（中国日报网英语点津 Julie 编辑）