Earth Hour makes a difference

Earth Hour 2008 was a remarkable global event, and in towns and cities across the world, people "turned out" to lend their voice to the worldwide call for action on climate change.

On March 29th, people everywhere turned off their lights–to make a statement, to help find new ways to reduce their impact on the environment, and to start a movement that ends with a solution to the common challenge we all face.

GVI Mexico joined this initiative and for an hour went black, not only at the Playa regional office but also on our expedition bases.

Millions of Americans–in Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, San Francisco and dozens of other communities large and small–joined mayors, citizens' groups, schools and corporations from coast to coast. Around the globe, people on five continents took part, from Albania to Zimbabwe, Bosnia to Uzbekistan, Canada to Uruguay.

Earth Hour broke down boundaries. Never before have people from so many different backgrounds, cultures, and geographies come together to press for urgent change. Never before have governments, NGOs, businesses and average people called upon each other and the world to find a new direction.

That unity inspired millions, and with that same spirit we can move forward to find answers to this most urgent of problems. And the time to begin is now.

Earth Hour 2008 made a difference. Millions of people around the world continuing the commitments we have made–changing our lives and encouraging others to do the same–will change the world.

Visit worldwildlife.org/climate to find out what you can do throughout the year to fight climate change, and check back to earthhour.org soon for details on Earth Hour 2009.

Earth Hour makes a difference