Switch for Nature with Earth Hour

Earth Hour is taking place tomorrow night from 8:30 to 9:30 PM. For sixty minutes, Outdoors People for Climate Action will be joining millions of other environmental activists around the world by taking part. We'll be switching off our electronic devices, and committing to making other switches in our daily lives to help protect our planet, and we would love it if you joined us!

What is Earth Hour?

Put simply, Earth Hour is a global Anywhere Action. Every year, individuals, schools, businesses, and communities are encouraged to come together to turn off non-essential electronics from 8:30 to 9:30 PM in a symbolic gesture of solidarity to show that they care about the planet.

But Earth Hour doesn’t stop at 9:30. Those sixty minutes are meant to kickstart us thinking about our ecological footprints, engaging with the climate change issue, and showing our support for a renewables-based economy in Australia.

Or, to put it another way, this means we need to go beyond switching off and commit to other simple changes.

Why should you get involved?

For outdoor-lovers, climate change is already a problem.

Just look at the past three years: 2019 was the hottest year ever recorded in Australia, impacting activities like bushwalking, running, cycling and mountain biking. 2020 saw the Black Summer Fires devastate Australia’s native flora and fauna, leaving an estimated 3 million animals dead, injured, or without a habitat. And in 2021, this very week, dozens of communities have been declared disaster zones, more than 18,000 people have been evacuated, and several National Parks have been forced to close due to the devastating flooding in New South Wales.

Without a significant switch away from fossil-fuel consumption and towards renewable energy, this problem is only going to get worse. Earth Hour is a vital opportunity for us to stand in solidarity with people around the world, and demonstrate our support for a better future for Australia, and the world.

How can you get involved?

The obvious answer is by switching off your electronic devices from 8:30-9:30 PM this Saturday night, which is an awesome place to start. Earth Hour events have been found to reduce energy consumption by an average of 4% around the world and, in the Sydney CBD alone, are the equivalent of taking 48,613 cars off the road for 1 hour.

But your involvement doesn’t need to stop there. This year, Earth Hour are encouraging individuals everywhere to make the #SwitchForNature to support Australia’s switch to a renewables-based economy.

A switch could be as simple as carrying a reusable cup instead of getting a takeaway one or trying to make at least one meal a week plant-based. Alternatively, it could mean divesting money away from fossil fuels and switching banks or super funds or committing to becoming more involved in environmental activism.

Need more inspiration?

As any outdoor person will tell you, setting goals is an important step towards learning, growth, and achievement. But with the climate crisis in particular, it can be hard to know where to start.

Fortunately, Outdoors People for Climate Action have a number of resources to help point you in the right direction.

Check out the pages below to find ideas for your own #SwitchForNature:

• 2021 Climate Goals. Outdoors People don’t just sit around when a storm blows in. We take action! This is a list of 21 actions you can complete over the course of 2021 to help you take leadership in a year when the world needs it most.

• Anywhere Actions. This is a list of ongoing petitions, inquiries accepting submissions, and email and social media campaigns from groups all over Australia who are committed to protecting the climate, nature, and outdoor places. These groups are doing fantastic work, but they can’t do it without your help!

• Get Started. This is our one-stop page that’s filled with information on how you can learn more about and take part in the climate movement.

You can also find more ideas on the Earth Hour website.

Will you join us this Saturday and make the #SwitchForNature?

Let us know and together, let’s switch on to a future that’s free from fossil fuels!