"地球一小时"始于2007年的澳洲悉尼。当时220万人和超过2000家企业熄灯一小时 ,以支持采取行动,应对全球变暖。
在短短一年之后,该活动就被推广到世界各地,逐渐成为一项全球性的环保活动。到2008年,已有来自多达35个国家的5000万人民参与此活动。一些全球标志性建筑,譬如悉尼的港湾大桥,多伦多的西恩塔,三藩市的金门大桥和古罗马竞技场,也都在当天熄灭一小时,以响应号召,采取行动应对全球变暖。
2009年的“地球一小时”活动创造了历史。它见证了有史以来规模最大的志愿性环保活动。88个国家中的4000余个城镇为响应这项活动而熄灯一小时。
2010年的“地球一小时”活动再次创造了历史,多达128个国家参与了熄灯活动。北京的紫禁城,柏林的勃兰登堡门,美国的总统山(拉什莫尔山),津巴布韦的维多利亚大瀑布和广岛的和平纪念公园等标志景观的参与,更是为“地球一小时”活动锦上添花。全球越来越多的城市参与这项活动,成为了“地球一小时”应对全球变暖行动的里程碑。
2011年的“地球一小时”活动将不仅仅局限于熄灯一小时和应对全球变暖的行动。在倡导家庭、办公室、政府建筑和标志性景观熄灯一小时的同时,“地球一小时”还将致力于推动可持续的环保行动。届时,来自欧洲、亚洲、大洋洲、非洲和美洲的居民、企业和政府,都会为下一年里大家将采取的可持续环保行动而做出自己的努力。
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 Coliseum, 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 27th March, Earth Hour 2010 became the biggest Earth Hour ever. A record of 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.