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19 March 2024

Press Release

For immediate release

Office: +44 (0) 7500 577620

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Email: press@wwf.org.uk

WWF’S EARTH HOUR 2024

WWF’S EARTH HOUR 2024 - SATURDAY 23 MARCH 2024 AT 8.30PM 

  • Anyone, anywhere can join the world's biggest movement for the planet by switching off and giving an hour for Earth  
  • Many of the UK’s most prominent landmarks will be switching off their lights in support including The London Eye, the Tate museums and Buckingham Palace 

Assets linked here, here and here 

We know that small actions can make a big difference. So, this year, as well as people, communities, businesses and landmarks coming together to switch off their lights for 60 minutes, WWF is asking people to give an hour for Earth.  

From switching off lights, to signing a petition, to sharing energy saving tips, or helping wildlife in your local area, this March 23rd thousands of people will take part in a global day of positive action for our world.​​  

Never has it been more important to show our leaders we must tackle the nature and climate crisis with urgent action. All over the world, animals and people are losing their homes because we’re destroying forests, polluting rivers and oceans and making the climate crisis worse.  But there is hope.  We can all play our part in taking small actions to make a difference.  By switching off and giving an hour for earth, we are all helping to bring our world back to life.  

WWF’s Earth Hour is a moment of unity that brings the world together, shines a spotlight on the climate and nature crisis, and inspires people to act and advocate for urgent change.  

Many renowned landmarks around the UK will be supporting Earth Hour by going dark and switching off all their lights, including The London Eye, the four Tate Museums which are located in London, Liverpool and Cornwall, BFI IMAX, Picadilly Lights, Westfield, Historical Royal Palaces, and Buckingham Palace, among others. 

Bella Sereno, Environmental & Sustainability Manager at Tate, said: "We at Tate are delighted to participate, raising awareness and solidarity on a global level.  A reminder to us all on what needs to be done and how impactful we can all be together." 

Dare Ilori, Group Sustainability Director of Merlin Entertainments, the lastminute.com London Eye, said: "We are proud to join millions of people and businesses globally in supporting WWF Earth Hour. Switching off the lights of the London Eye for an hour, raises awareness about the urgent climate and nature crisis happening worldwide. In turn, we hope this will inspire Londoners as a collective community, to make changes in our daily lives to reduce our carbon footprint and protect our planet, because small actions can make a big difference”. 

WWF’s suggestions of how to ‘Give an hour to Earth’ this Earth Hour: 

  1. Get outside and make your outdoor space more nature friendly. If you don’t have a garden or window box, there are community gardens and allotments that will benefit from your green fingers!  
  2. Connect with colleagues who also have a passion for nature by screening our Save Our Wild Isles business films where you work. Get the conversation started and discuss how your workplace can be part of the solution.  
  3. Calculate your personal impact with WWF’s footprint calculator and make a plan to reduce it – you can make a big difference by taking small steps.  
  4. Cook a sustainable meal. There are so many tasty plant-based recipes out there so get going and cook up a special Earth Hour feast during the hour.  
  5. Become a walrus detective and search for walrus in images from space, to learn more about how the climate crisis is affecting them.  
  6. Spend an hour on you. WWF has partnered with the Mental Health Foundation to create a guide filled with tips and tools for how all of us can connect with nature, to help us thrive even in challenging times. 
  7. Explore the WWF campaign hub and find out how you can influence politicians and make a difference in your local area. 
  8. Get your friends, family and neighbours inspired by nature by organising a screening of the Save Our Wild Isles documentary series on iPlayer.  
  9. Join WWF's Earth Hour ‘All Together’ challenge on the MyFootprint app – simply turn off electricity for the hour of Earth Hour and again three or more times the following week and be a part of the app community’s impact. 
  10. Switch off and take an hour to connect with loved ones. This is where Earth Hour all began – you're part of a movement of millions of people around the world. 

3 simple steps to give an hour for Earth: 

  1. Find out more at wwf.org.uk/earthhour  
  2. Join our Facebook event  
  3. Share your plans with us via social media using #EarthHour 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

WWF has launched its 2024 manifesto calling for urgent political action on the environment - Bringing our world back to life: WWF UK 2024 Manifesto | WWF 

Assets including images and footage linked here, here and here 

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact: 

Bella Eadie, Media Manager, WWF beadie@wwf.org.uk or press@wwf.org.uk 

About WWF’s Earth Hour: 

It all started back in 2007, born out of frustration about inaction to tackle climate change and protect nature, to replace people’s despair with hope and positivity at a global level. On 31 March 2007, more than 2.2 million individuals and 2,000 businesses in Sydney, Australia switched off their lights for one hour, which marked the beginning of the Earth Hour movement. And that one particular hour has gone global, with more than 190 countries participating in switch-off events and activities, to show their support for nature and climate.  

Today, Earth Hour is one of the world’s largest grassroots environmental movements, which takes place every year with the same aim as back in 2007—to unite the world in support of people and the planet. However, its impact has gone far beyond just turning off the lights for one hour.  Earth Hour is more than making a small change on one day. Giving an hour for Earth reminds us that even small actions can make a big difference.  

About WWF:   

WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) is a global environmental charity, and we’re bringing our world back to life. With nature in freefall, we’re urgently tackling the underlying causes that are driving the decline – especially the food system and climate change. And we’re finding solutions so future 

generations have a world with thriving habitats and wildlife. 

It’s a huge challenge, but there is hope. We’re working globally with governments, companies,  

communities and others who have the will to act and the power to transform our world. We’re  

using our ground-breaking scientific research, our global influence, and the backing of our many supporters to make sure the natural world’s vital signs are recovering by 2030. 

WWF. Bringing our world back to life. 

Find out more about our work, past and present at wwf.org.uk