Earth Hour in the United States

• Day: Earth Hour is observed annually on the last Saturday of March.
• Time: People are encouraged to turn off non-essential lights for one hour, from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM local time.

History and Traditions

• Earth Hour started in Sydney, Australia, in 2007 as a symbolic lights-out event initiated by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to raise awareness about climate change.
• The movement quickly became global, with the United States joining many other countries in observing this day.
• Iconic landmarks across the U.S., such as the Empire State Building, the Las Vegas Strip, and the Golden Gate Bridge, have participated by switching off their lights for one hour.

Activities

On Earth Hour:

• Individuals: Participate by turning off their home lights and unplugging non-essential devices.
• Communities: Organize candle-lit gatherings or star-gazing events to foster a sense of communal participation.
• Businesses: Some businesses turn off their premise's lighting and encourage sustainable practices among employees and customers.
• Education: Schools and educational institutions may use Earth Hour as a teaching moment about environmental issues and sustainability.