Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia in 2007 and is run by WWF, the World Wildlife Fund.
When is Earth Hour?
The next Earth Hour will take place on Saturday March 31st, 2012 (8:30pm in Toronto).
What You Can Do During Earth Hour
The most important thing is simply to turn off the lights in your home, business, or wherever you are during Earth Hour. How much further you want to go is up to you. The simplest next step is to turn off all the non-essential appliances in your home and enjoy the unplugged time on your own of with family. Many choose to head outside during Earth Hour, socializing at official and unofficial outdoor Earth Hour gatherings.• See a photo gallery of what took place in Toronto during Earth Hour 2008
Earth Hour Events in Toronto
Official Celebrations in the Distillery District
For Earth Hour 2012, WWF Canada is hosting a celebration in Toronto's Distillery District. The event will begin at 7:30pm and will include the first full public performance of the new Team Earth Hour Anthem.
• Get all the details at earthhour.wwf.ca/earthhour/earth_hour_toronto/
Roncesvalles Candlelight Walk
Roncesvalles hosts its own Earth Hour event, the annual Roncesvalles Candlelight Walk. So long as weather permits, walkers will meet in front of the Revue Cinema at 8:15, bringing their own candles or lanterns (there's a community festival which includes a lantern-making workshop in the afternoon).
• Learn more at RoncesvallesRenewed.org
Earth Hour Lantern-Making Workshop and Walk in High Park
The High Park Nature Centre is holding a three-part event; first up is a lantern-making workshop, next is a lantern-lit walk in the park, and finally there's a fire-lit reception back at the nature centre. You can attend everything, or just come by for the walk or reception. Event is $2 or donate-what-you-can.
• Visit www.highparknaturecentre.com.
Maple Syrup Dinner by Lamplight at the Kortright Centre
As part of the annual Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival (which is just one of several Maple Syrup Festivals in Toronto) the Kortright Centre for Conservation in Woodbridge is holding a Maple Syrup Dinner by lamplight, beginning at 7:30pm. After dinner, guests can take part in a hike and bonfire.
• Find details and ticket information under "Maple Syrup Dinner" at maplesyrupfest.com
Earth Hour at the Ontario Science Centre
In honour of Earth Hour the Ontario Science is offering free outdoor programming on March 31st between 7:30pm and 10pm. Weather permitting, events will include telescope observation opportunities, storytelling, and a fire performer. If you'll be visiting inside the Science Centre during the day, there will also be a TVOKids Earth Hour Show on stage.
• Get all the details at www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca
Participate in the Ontario Science Centre's StarWatch
No matter where you are during Earth Hour, you can help the Ontario Science Centre collect data by recording which stars are visible in the Little Dipper during Earth Hour and submitting your findings. Go Citizen Science!• Find out about the project at www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/starwatch
What You Can Do After Earth Hour
The real point of Earth Hour is to remind us all what we can be doing in our daily lives to reduce energy consumption. The WWF's Earth Hour website has suggestions, and if you're a homeowner you can look into signing up for Bullfrog Power yourself, the company which powers official Earth Hour events.• See The Living Planet Community section of WWF.ca for ways to make simple changes in your daily life.
• Visit the Bullfrog Power website
Join Earth Hour's Online Community
You don't have to register to participate in Earth Hour, but the official website offers plenty of useful tips and makes it easy for you to let friends know about your support for the event. If you think you'd like to organize an event for your company or community, the website can give you ideas and guidance.• Visit EarthHour.org
• You can also sign up for the Canadian site at Earthhour.wwf.ca
Earth Hour Outside Toronto
Toronto was one of the partner cities in Earth Hour 2008, along with Ottawa, Montreal and Vancouver. Over 40 other cities and towns in Ontario officially registered to participate in Earth Hour, meaning local governments held events or turned off lights in many of their own buildings (without compromising safety, of course).
