The event began in Sydney in 2007, when two million people switched off their lights against climate change. By 2010, Earth Hour had created history as the largest voluntary action ever witnessed with participation across 128 countries and every continent, including the world’s most recognized man-made marvels and natural wonders in a landmark environmental action. [break]
This turning off the light for an hour is a symbolic act, a symbol of optimism, uniting people across the globe for a single mission.
Earth Hour in Nepal
In Nepal, for Earth Hour 2010, a candlelight vigil was organized in Bouddhanath Stupa, one of the largest Stupas in the world as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Students, environmentalists, members of civil society and individuals lit candles as a show of solidarity in the fight against climate change.
Famous spiritual singer Ani Choying Dolma sang a song of peace and lit butter lamps forming a giant Earth Hour symbol.
Earth Hour 2011 will take place on Saturday (March 26) at 6.30 pm. Earth Hour 2011 goes beyond the hour and aims to show the actions that people, businesses and governments are taking across the globe to reduce environmental impact, thereby establishing and encouraging others to join an interconnected global community engaged in dialogue and resource-sharing that generates real solutions to environmental challenges.
How is Nepal going
Beyond the Hour?
Government of Nepal will put a complete stop to tree-felling in the Churiya Range.
This Earth Hour, the Government of Nepal is going beyond the hour with a commitment to put a complete stop to tree-felling in the Churiya Range.
The Churia Hills are the southern-most range of hills in Nepal lying between the plains of the Terai and the mountain regions of the Himalayas, comprising more than 28 percent of the total area of the Tarai arc landscape (23,199
sq. km).
The Churia forests perform a vital economic and ecological function and are the watersheds for the Tarai feeding a rich habitat for wildlife, and an important source for recharging the ground water that supports agricultural production and the livelihoods of numerous communities.
Lumbini Development
Trust pledge
Lumbini Development Trust, in partnership with WWF, will go beyond the hour by initiating plantation of 108,000 trees in Lumbini Gardens, in pursuance of a ten-year target of planting one million trees; declaring Lumbini Gardens a plastic-free zone, and switching to CFL bulbs within the entire Lumbini Gardens complex.
Schools, colleges gear up for the environment
Twenty schools and colleges within the Kathmandu valley have made their commitments to undertake environmentally friendly actions throughout the year.
From planting trees to raising awareness on environment protection, banning plastic bags within the school premises to raising funds for the environment, such individual actions when added up are sure to create a positive impact for the planet.
How can you go beyond
the hour?
Earth Hour is not just about the 60 minutes of solidarity for the environment; there is more to it. Thus, this year, Earth Hour will go beyond the hour, marking a moment where every individual, government and business can make their commitment to environmentally sustainable action for the forthcoming year.
Beyond The Hour marks the start of a new phase for the Earth Hour movement. This year Earth Hour asks you to commit to an action, big or small, that you will sustain for the future of our planet.
You can go beyond the hour by taking some simple actions:
o Replace incandescent bulbs with CFL tubes
o Tree plantation for a greener planet
o Stop using plastic bags
o Walking or riding cycle wherever possible as opposed to driving
o Switch off or unplug appliances when not in use
o Get involved with people who care about the environment
o And many more...
WWF requests the pleasure of your presence to be a part of the global celebration 60+ Earth Hour to fight against climate change on 26 March, 2011, 6:30 - 7:30 pm at Boudhanath Stupa.
(wwfnepal.org)
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