The joy of the New Year has started to dim and now, as we near the end of March, it’s the perfect time to switch off in celebration of Earth Hour. Each year on March 25, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) invites us to turn off our lights for one hour. This unifying action is “a demonstration of the power of collective action for our future and the planet’s.” This year at 8:30 p.m. local time, switch off your lights for one hour to show your commitment to a sustainable future.
Only one hour? It might seem small, but this collective action from people across the planet helps save energy and reminds us to work together to build a more sustainable planet.
Alliant Energy usually celebrates holidays and events by changing the color of the LED lights that illuminate the Alliant Energy Tower in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. But for Earth Hour, we’re taking part by switching off the Tower lights — not just for one hour, but for the whole night of March 25.
After you turn off the lights, how will you spend the hour?
An hour in the dark might seem a bit daunting. Try some of these suggestions to help the time fly:
- Embrace your inner child. Grab your flashlights, blankets and pillows and make a fort in your living room.
- Stretch it out. Light some candles and stretch your mind and body with yoga or guided meditation.
- Phone a friend. Spend time reconnecting with a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while and share your Earth Hour commitment with them. You could even call from the super cool fort you just built!
Commit to keep giving back to the planet
Why stop with an hour? Keep it going and try one (or more!) of these suggestions to further help the planet:
- Commit to spending more time outside and less time inside with lights, TVs and other electronics. Take a walk around the neighborhood, read a book at a park or give hiking a try.
- Ditch single-use plastics like plastic silverware, cups and bags. These products take a long time to decompose in our waste systems and typically end up in our ecosystems, where they harm wildlife. Swap single-use items for reusable when you can.
- Coordinate a work or school carpool. Fewer cars on the road means less traffic and less carbon emissions in the air we breathe.
- Educate yourself about the impacts of climate change and the ways you can make a difference. Share what you’ve learned with friends and family to grow our eco-conscious team.