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THE BIGGEST HOUR FOR EARTH

410,000 HOURS GIVEN GLOBALLY

Time is essential. Every minute to restore and rejuvenate nature matters. The worlds biggest and greatest hour spanning 24hr cycle and including millions of people cumulated in 410 000 hours or 17 083 days.

"It is inspiring to see how many young people participated in this year's Earth Hour. Scouts Africa and AAYMCA are significant partners of WWF in Africa, demonstrating that by working together, we can accomplish far more with far greater impact,” says Dr Amani Ngusaru, Interim WWF Africa Regional Director.

This year’s Earth Hour comes hot on the heels of the historic Kunming-Montreal Agreement at COP15, which in December last year committed the world to halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030. The science is clear. We know the next seven years are crucial in determining whether we can halt irreversible environmental degradation and runaway climate change. Urgent action for climate, nature, and biodiversity is more necessary than ever. That is why Earth Hour is needed—to inspire millions more to act and make millions more take notice.

Earth Hour aims to be an unmissable global reminder of the importance of our planet, the need to protect it, and how little time we have to do so.  Now more than ever, we need our increasingly divided world to come together to take urgent action for our one home. We need everyone and anyone to feel inspired and empowered to play a part, no matter how small. Most importantly, we must continue to shine a beacon of hope for a brighter future, harnessing and celebrating the power of the people.

CELEBRITIES FOR EARTH
Influential climate activists and ambassadors for change showed support this Earth Hour and pledged their hours for earth. Tanzania’s Sharon Ringo, one of the world's youngest climate activists, was one of the African influencers that came out to show support for the movement. Zambian popstar James Sakala, Cameroonian actress Laura Onyama, and World Javelin Champion Julius Yego from Kenya were some of the African celebrities who also came out  to show their support for the movement.
ACROSS THE CONTINENT 
Across Africa, citizens, businesses and governments joined the global grassroots environmental movement, pledging 83k Hours to the  'Hour Bank'. We thank you for your passion for nature, determination to reset the earth, willingness to change and adapt habits for good. Here’s a snap shot of how the hours were spent across Africa. Read more about the celebrations in our Africa Focus newsletter.
Madagascar gave 23,302 hours to the Earth and was ranked fifth globally, in the number of hours contributed to the Hour Bank . A total of 18 activities were carried out across 12 cities and villages in Madagascar. Zambia engaged and mobilised young people by holding talks on climate change and biodiversity loss in various schools.Through these talks, they reached a total of 11 000 pupils. 
Uganda in collaboration with the Uganda Scouts Association  launched the Panda Badge at Kisasi Primary School. The country office mobilized over 3000 young people to commemorate Earth Hour and over 3000 trees were planted in 25 schools around the city.

South Africa urged supporters across the country to take part in the #NatureIsAlwaysOn campaign. They encouraged people to engage with nature by providing a free online wellness and mindfulness "Nature & You" session. In addition, they co-organized a "Connect to Nature" children's designathon for children aged 8 to 12 at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Johannesburg.

Namibia hosted 50 ‘Youth in Conservation’ Ambassadors from four geographic areas, representing 28 conservancies, in Swakopmund Namibia. 

EARTH HOUR PARTNERS

Long term partners, World Scouts Movements, Africa and the Africa Alliance of YMCA's  galvanised youth across the continent to give their hour for earth. 

The Scouts organized a virtual Earth Hour awareness event, conducted marches for nature, planting of trees, environmental clean-ups, education and participated in the symbolic switch-off at 08:30 PM local time on 25 March. Read More.

 

Thank you for taking part in Earth Hour 2023!

 

Join us again next year on 23 March 2024,

8:30 pm local time.
 

With appreciation and gratitude,

Rose Thuo
Head of Marketing and Communications Regional Africa Office

Dr Amani Ngusaru
Interim Africa Regional Director
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