Earth Hour marked digitally
due to coronavirus
 |
| Earth Hour 2020 |
This year’s global observance of Earth Hour takes a digital
form in compliance with global healthcare guidelines due to the coronavirus
pandemic.
By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ
Earth Hour this year falls on 28 March 2020.
To mark the event, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is
encouraging everyone to switch lights off from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
Earth Hour is an annual symbolic lights-out event to spread
awareness about climate change and eco-friendly sustainability solutions. It
also aims to unite people to take action on environmental issues to protect the
planet.
Earth Hour 2020 to be marked digitally
This year, due to the exceptional circumstances of the
coronavirus pandemic, the WWF invites people to creatively participate in this
observance digitally.
The WWF website proposes activities like switching off power
for one hour at home, engaging in personal research on living sustainably, or
signing up online in support of legislation that protects our planet.
Earth Hour and coronavirus pandemic
The Covid-19 virus pandemic has led to the implementation of
precautionary measures to contain its spread. The decrease in transport,
industrial and business activity has had some unintended benefits to the
planet.
For example, in February, pollution monitoring satellites
from the European Space Agency and NASA reported a decrease in pollutants over
China. In a message from NASA’s Twitter account, it linked the significant
decrease in nitrogen dioxide to the economic slowdown following the coronavirus
outbreak.
Also, due to the suspension of international air travel and
the restriction of movement in many countries, global carbon emissions have
significantly dropped. The widespread changes in human behavior due to the
pandemic are reducing congestion in cities and enhancing air quality.
The Church and care for the earth
The Church has a tradition of involvement for responsible
stewardship of the earth.
Pope Francis, in his Encyclical on the care of our common
home (Laudato si’), highlights the effects of pollution on the earth. He notes
that climate change has grave implications for humankind. He calls for united
efforts in caring for the earth and appeals for ecological conversion.
Origins of Earth Hour
The observance of Earth Hour began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia
when the World Wildlife Fund encouraged over 2 million people to turn off their
lights in support of climate change.
Global landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge in San
Francisco (in 2009), and Rome’s Colosseum (in 2018) have stood in darkness for
the campaign.
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