On the evening of 25 March, at 20.30, in about 200 countries and territories of the world, Earth Hour was triggered, the global event of the WWF which for this 15th edition involved millions of people, together with thousands of cities, monuments and symbolic places. In Rome, Maccio Capatonda, in front of hundreds of people, turned off the Colosseum with his ‘super finger’, and launched a message as simple as it is immediate: each of us can carry out small but large actions to help ensure a more just future and sustainable for all. In this case dedicating 60 minutes to a positive action for the future of our fragile planet.
Again this year, Earth Hour was not just an international mobilization, but an invitation to join forces to act and have “-co2 and +nature” in all of our lives, every day. Earth Hour 2023 comes on the heels of the historic Kunming-Montreal agreement at COP15 which, in December 2022, saw the world commit to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. But it also comes just 5 days after the very serious IPCC alarm , the United Nations climate science panel, which noted that human-caused climate change is already causing many extreme weather and climate events in every region of the world, with widespread loss and damage to nature and people. Future changes can only be limited by a deep, rapid and sustained reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions.
“The next seven years are crucial to ensure that the decade ends with more nature and biodiversity than at present and to stay below the 1.5°C global warming threshold, avoiding irreversible damage to our planet and our lives” , he said Alessandra Prampolini, director general of WWF Italy. “On the occasion of Earth Hour, the WWF calls institutions, companies and citizens: science is showing us the way, the facts show us the urgency, there is no more time for hesitation or hesitation. Let us close the era of fossil fuels and start a great plan to adapt to climate change for our territory”.
At the same time across time zones around the world, countries joined the event with shutdowns and tons of other initiatives, involving hundreds of local influencers and celebrities ready to show their support for “The biggest hour for Earth”. Concerts (Latvia), sustainable fashion shows (Wwf Mongolia). But above all concrete gestures for the planet: over 100,000 people from 167 countries have declared their commitment to “reconnect” with nature, carry out actions to restore and clean up the environment, acquire information and greater awareness of the climate crisis and inspire others to act for a sustainable future.
The initiative
On March 25th at 8.30 pm lights out for the Planet. WWF: “Less emissions, more Nature”
To celebrate earth hour, the WWF in Italy has activated its network of volunteers and oases in the area, who have turned off the monuments of the main cities and will organize initiatives and appointments. Over 60 municipalities have joined Earth Hour this year, and hundreds of initiatives. The external lights of the most important institutional buildings have gone out: Palazzo del Quirinale (Presidency of the Republic), Palazzo Madama (Senate of the Republic), Palazzo Montecitorio (Chamber of Deputies), Palazzo Chigi (Presidency of the Council of Ministers) and the Basilica of St. Peter. In Italy, the Arena of Verona, Piazza Pretoria in Palermo, Palazzo del Podestà in Bologna, Piazza San Marco in Venice, the Castello del Buonconsiglio and the Muse in Trento, the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, the Church of Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio and the statue of David in Piazzale Michelangelo, the Town Hall in Parma, the main facade of the Palazzo Municipale in Trieste, the loggia of the Palazzo Comunale in Pistoia, the facade of Palazzo San Giacomo in Naples, the seat of the Town Hall and the Maschio Angioino, the municipality of Potenza, piazza Duomo in Catania (Palazzo degli Elefanti) Porta San Biagio in Lecce and Abruzzo have joined the 3 national parks, the protected marine area Torre del Cerrano, L’Aquila and the provincial capitals Chieti, Pescara and Teramo.
The network of volunteers and the WWF Oasis also took part with various local initiatives that accompanied the shutdowns. In Genoa and Chieti, for example, candlelit dinners were held to experience earth hour together through a moment of sharing. In addition to the dinner initiative, the Cà Brigida (Rn) and cervo della luna (sa) oases have organized guided evening excursions for their guests to show their nocturnal biodiversity.
Earth Hour 2023 has received the patronage of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Anci, the Chamber of Deputies, the Senate and Rome Capital. The Earth Hour 2023 initiative was also awarded the medal of the Presidency of the Republic. The participation also involved the partner companies of WWF Italia who have decided to join the global mobilization: among the main ones Huawei, Arca Planet, P&G, Bialetti, Unicredit and Wind Tre have in fact decided to implement symbolic shutdowns of signs and offices and have disseminated Earth Hour messages, with awareness-raising activities aimed at its employees and customers.
