On the list of days celebrating the Earth and our abundant resources, March 26th offers an hour (apart from Earth Day) that brings the world together. The objective is to show solidarity and support for mother nature by turning off our power supply for an hour. Coming together for this one hour (8:30 pm – 9:30 pm, as per your timezone across the globe) is used to call attention to climate change and the rapid loss of biodiversity and nature.
Sometimes we take our environment for granted. Natural systems are the reason we can enjoy the basic things we need to survive; unpolluted air, clean water, nutrient-rich fruit and vegetables, stable land to build on, and generating the necessary fuels to move development forward. Nature offers us USD 125 trillion annually and is one of the strongest allies to combat climate change.
Earth hour creates awareness, ignites conversations around protecting nature across the globe, tackles climate change, and brings us all together, united in the cause. In this spirit, here are ten earth hour activities you can do over the non-powered hour;
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Reconnect With Nature
This would be an opportune moment to venture outside, take a walk, or stroll surrounded by nature. Explore a nearby park, beach, or any space showcasing personality at its finest.
If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, take a night hike, go camping, or even stargazing. Stay safe outdoors by bringing a flashlight and keeping your cell phone handy in an emergency.
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Have a Meal
Use this hour to bring friends and family together by candlelight. There are several ways to introduce planet-friendly meals into your home. Look up some exciting recipes and head to your local farmers market in preparation for this hour.
If you can host several adults, offer a selection of ingredients and tools that do not use electricity to operate. Then, with a 60-minute timer, compete to make the best dish. This could also be a great way to educate children about nature’s importance and allow them to get involved and showcase the fruits and vegetables used.
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Spend Time with Loved Ones
This hour could be used to bond with your family and friends. As we spend all day glued to the screens of our phones and laptops, this would be a great moment to put the technology aside and have a conversation about nature.
If you have minor children, this would be a great time to cozy up by candlelight and possibly read a book together?
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Educate Yourself
As the objective of this event is to create awareness, this would be a solid time to understand what you could do to help our Planet, understand the challenges we face, and the best methods you could practically incorporate to help the situation.
Do your research beforehand and put together a guide you could use to help your unique day-to-day activities be more sustainable. If your guidelines for Earth Hour include access to a computer, showcase a documentary? Listen to a podcast about preserving the Planet and the efforts we should be taking?
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Connect With The Community
Earth Hour is an annual event that brings communities together from 150 countries to fight the consequences of our rapid growth and development. This could include guided meditation sessions, parties, and gatherings of any kind.
Alternatively, consider volunteering this hour towards a cause close to your heart. Look at cleanups of local beaches or even some recycling. This could be a great way to meet other individuals passionate about the Planet.
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Get Active
While we work on better habits to keep our Planet in the best shape possible, why not take a page from that book and get in a workout. This would be a great time to step out for a night run, do a little dancing in the dark, perhaps a candle-lit yoga session?
Don’t forget to bring a bit biodegradable bag to collect any trash you see along the way. If you’ve got little children with you, you could turn the trash collection into a competition to see who helps the Planet the most.
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Make an Artistic Mark
If you feel like letting your artistic flag fly, this would be a great time to showcase the Earth as your key subject. Here’s a couple of ideas;
- Take some pictures of beautiful natural spaces in your environment
- Upcycle pieces from your wardrobe
- Use one of your walls at home to make a mural
- Experiment with slow shutter speeds and a tripod to do some light painting
The opportunities are endless, and when you’re done, don’t forget to take pictures or showcase your final product on social media and help raise awareness around Earth Hour.
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Create New Lifestyle Guidelines
This could be a fun activity with people you see regularly. Put together a practical list of changes you could incorporate into your daily routines to minimize the strain on natural resources. This could include;
- Make sure the only lights turned on are in use, and unplug unused electronics.
- Stepping outside for at least an hour a day or disconnecting from screens
- You are introducing a garden into your space and encouraging a green thumb and sustainable vegetable production. This could work great for schools or homes to create organic snacks.
- Donating time to local charities that help with Earth conservation
- Introducing composting and recycling
The list is endless; the objective is to introduce practical measures and sustainably produced products to minimize the demand for products that require the Earth to hurt for us to have.
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Plant Trees
This is one of our favorite non-powered activities for Earth Hour. Organize everything you would need beforehand to head outside and plant some trees. Pick out a selection of saplings and tools, zero in on the area to be produced and have some fun getting dirty.
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Meditate
While guided meditation sessions could be exactly what the doctor ordered, don’t be afraid to spend this Earth hour in self-reflection. This could be a great time to understand your footprint on the Planet and make promises within yourself towards better actions and approaches.
Take some time to inhale and exhale the clean air deeply the Earth and nature provide us. If you can do this in an area surrounded by trees and their inhabitants, take a minute to appreciate the sounds you can hear. The feeling of warmth and life the Planet provides and how you, as an individual, plan to maintain this sensation for generations to come.
These simple acts over one hour could change how you or others approach your day-to-day activities. While it may feel like we will have to give up certain conveniences, it is essential to recognize that the Earth minimized many amenities to facilitate our growth and development. Society today must understand the importance of giving back to the environment that gives us so much.
Conclusion
Earth Hour is a great way to start your journey into more sustainable practices. While doing so, this helps you prepare for World Earth Day, which falls in April annually. With new themes for each year, do a little research to acquaint yourself with the subject better. Please bring your friends, family, colleagues, and peers together to help protect our home, our planet, our Earth! Visit Goodguilt for more blogs.
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