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Earth Hour Marks 20 Years With Global Lights-Out and a Call for Lasting Action

Organizers stress lasting behavior change focused on cutting single-use plastics.

Overview

  • The WWF-led campaign, held Saturday from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. local time, drew millions in more than 190 countries as landmarks such as Barcelona’s Sagrada Família went dark.
  • More than 100 companies, about 427 municipalities and 105 organizations joined, with Inditex named principal partner and producing the campaign’s organic-cotton T-shirts.
  • This year’s theme targets single-use plastics as WWF urges people to trade disposables for reusables and to carry the one-hour gesture into daily habits.
  • Studies that track the event show modest effects during the hour, including an average 4% drop in electricity demand and short-term reductions in light pollution that differ by location.
  • Supporters present the hour as a gateway to deeper action, while marketing analysts warn it can become greenwashing if participants do not back it with year-round changes.