Earth Day & Earth Hour: Differences To Remember
“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” John Muir
Earth Hour & Earth Day: Differences to Remember – Earth Day Flag collage
Earth Day Network’s Climate Education Week
Earth Day 2015 will take place on April 22 ( same date every year) and this will be their 45th Anniversary of encouraging all of us to demonstrate our support for environmental protection. It was launched in 1970 and is organized by the Earth Day Network. Over 192 nations celebrate Earth Day and this year’s initiative is using the tagline, “It Is Our Turn To Lead.” This makes perfect sense because each of us has a role in sustaining our planet. We can follow Goodnet’s 50 Ways to Help The Planet and the EPA’s Pick5 key areas of recommendations (in block-quotes throughout this post) to support our planet and make Mother earth smile.
Land
1. Use pesticides safely! Reduce or eliminate where possible.
2. Learn about composting, try it out!
3. Learn about ‘Greenscaping’! Try it out at home and promote it in your community.
4. Learn about the native species and the negative effects of non native plants and animals in the environment. Plant native species in your gardens, encourage important pollinators such as bees and birds by planting gardens full of their favorite plants. Join a team in your community that removes non-native species.via EPA
“Earth Hour’s mission is three-fold. To bring people together through a symbolic hour-long event…” Andy Ridley, CEO and Co-Founder, Earth Hour Global
Earth Hour: 15 Things To Remember
Earth Hour 2016: This is our time to #ChangeClimateChange!
Growing up, we’ve all had dreams about our future, and the children of today are no different. But their dreams for tomorrow depend on our actions today. Join Earth Hour 2016 and show your support to #ChangeClimateChange with a custom profile pic filter!
For more on Earth Hour 2016 which too place on Saturday March 19, and continues the theme of Climate Change, Visit Worldwildlife.org
Earth Hour 2015 Official Video
Earth Hour 2015 took place on Saturday, March 28, again between 8:30 and 9:30 pm. The tagline for this year’s global campaign was “Change Climate Change”, and this initiative is a way to remind each of us to participate in ending Global Warming. Over 170 countries, 1200 landmarks and 40 UNESCO world heritage sites participated in switching their light off. That said, Earth Hour, is Not Earth Day even though they are clearly related. Earth Hour is a global event organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and it’s genesis is shared in blockquotes below.
1. Earth Hour 2015 created a new global campaign – Change Climate Change – to encourage us to take action on Global Warming. Earth Hour Blue is again running some crowdfunding efforts to raise funds for organized climate projects in the Philippines, India, Columbia Uganda and Indonesia.
2. In 2014, Earth Hour launched the world’s first crowdfunding/crowdsourcing platform for the earth – The fundraising campaign collaborates with the WWF network and other partners. We can all support Earth Hour Blue today and everyday by making a donation to a cause. It’s never too late to do our part.
3. Another important step in Earth Hour 2014 is the appointment of Spiderman as the first superhero ambassador for Earth Hour; the key message is for all of us to use our powers to be superheroes/heroines for the planet. at earthhour.org
4. Earth Hour was started in Sydney, Australia in 2007. 2.2 million people and 2,100 businesses participated that year.
5. A year later (2008), participation had exploded to over 50 million people in more than 35 countries and 371 cities and towns participating in getting the word out that a sustainable planet benefits all.
6. In 2009, participation grew even bigger as several millions more celebrated in about 88 countries and 4,000 cities and towns by switching their lights off for an hour and voting for action on climatic changes.
Did you participate in Earth Hour? Are you aware of what it is about? From 8:30-9:30PM today, people around the world participated in Earth Hour by turning lights off and bringing attention to the fact that we, all of us, need to ensure that our planet is protected. Earth hour is described as “a movement using the power of the crowd to protect the planet.” To help us catch up on what this is all about, I’ve identified key points for all of us to remember.
“What is the use of a house if you haven’t got a tolerable planet to put it on?” Henry David Thoreau
Earth Hour & Earth Day: Differences To Remember – Message Collage
Will you participate in Earth Day? There is so much we can all do to keep our planet well and sustainable. Start in your home and recycle and cut back on waste. You can also follow the recommendations from the EPA and various ways we can contribute to making our planet and Mother Earth a happier place to live and breathe.
Water
1. Use only the water you need, and reuse when possible.
2. Help keep water clean by using biodegradable and environmentally friendly cleaning products.
3. Dispose of solid and liquid wastes and medications safely.
4. Protect your local water source from pollutants, excess pesticides and garbage. via EPA
Air
1. Use human powered modes of transportation to get from place to place! Walk, jog, skip, ride a bike instead.
2. Pass on gas! Take public transportation, carpool, plan your day to reduce trips and vehicle emissions.
3. Make sure your home’s air is healthy. Tip! Test, Fix and Save a Life from Radon, a colorless odorless gas.
4. Buy locally, or grow your own! Reduce air pollution caused by food and goods transport.
5. Reduce your potential for exposure to mercury.
6. Plant a tree. Or plant many trees!
7. Prevent additional air pollution by finding alternatives to burning your waste.via EPA
“…To galvanize people into taking action beyond the hour…” Andy Ridley, CEO and Co-Founder, Earth Hour Global
Earth Hour & Earth Day: Differences To Remember – Pandas for Earth Hour
Earth Hour 2015 Highlight 1
7. The People’s Orb was created and traveled around the world until finally arriving at the United Nations for the final day of the historic 192-nation UN Climate Change Conference; UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon and over 100 heads of State were present. (The orb is “a shimmering silver sphere encasing a 350 gigabyte hard drive loaded with videos, images and documents representing the hundreds of millions of people who voted Earth to call for action on climate change.”)
8. In 2010, 128 nations participate and for the first time landmark and iconic buildings go dark in honor of this special hour.
9. In 2011, Earth hour lasted well beyond the hour as people were encouraged to consider and share more ways to sustain our planet. A moment of silence was observed for lives lost in the tsunami and earth quake in Japan.
10. In 2012, Earth hour not only broke its own global reach record, but it was the first time an astronaut turned the lights off in outer space. (Astronaut André Kuipers at the International Space Station). 152 countries and 6,950 cities and towns participated in Earth Hour and millions gathered to honor a pledge to protect the environment.
11. Over 200,000 people joined the “I Will If You Will” challenge in the campaign to encourage people around us to commit to voluntary action for the environment.
We live in a growing and changing world that continues to use resources and destroy the environment. We cannot sit back and expect others to do the heavy lifting of ensuring we leave a healthy planet as a legacy for our children. Each of us can make a difference even in a small way. Start by turning those extra lights off. More below!
“…And to create an interconnected global community sharing the mutual goal of creating a sustainable future for the planet…” Andy Ridley, CEO and Co-Founder, Earth Hour Global
Earth Hour & Earth Day: Differences To Remember – Collage Of Both Honoring Our Environment, Climate & Mother Earth
Pocoyo – Kids’ Ambassador for Earth Hour 2015 uses power to change climate change
We can continue to support efforts to save our planet from becoming a giant depleted cesspool by participating in events like Earth Hour and Earth Day that honor the world we live in and beyond. We can make a difference by sharing information and educating our loved ones. Each of us can contribute our part even in the smallest way. Start TODAY!
12. In 2013, more landmark buildings, from the Empire State Building to Buckingham Palace,The Acropolis, The Eiffel Tower, Beijing National Stadium, The Sydney Harbour Bridge, Tower of Pisa, Times Square and many more, went dark in honor of Earth Hour.
13. Vancouver, Canada was crowned as the first Global Earth Hour Capital for its dedication to green projects and development.
14. In 2014, the goal is to remind us all that this is not just about lights out but about improving the planet.
15. As superheroes/heroines of planet earth, Earth Hour inspires each of us to take charge in creating change and to inspire others.
Energy
1. Save energy at home. Choose energy-saving appliances if they’re available. Look for Energy Star!
2. Go renewable! Create your own power from wind, the sun, water, or biofuels.
3. Find alternate ways to reduce use of diesel and other fuels for transportation, production and energy.
4. Find out how much of your home’s energy is supplied by renewable sources, seek to increase it. Research or contact your local power provider.via EPA
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” Native American Proverb
Earth Hour & Earth Day: Earth Day Flag
Jaden Smith PSA – The Canopy Project – Earth Day Network
Don’t forget, there is no wasted action. Do your bit for the planet and the planet will love you back. Read the differences again and join Earthday.org and Earthhour.org to replenish our world.
Waste
1. Reduce. Cut back on the amount of ‘stuff’ that could later end up as waste.
2. Reuse. Upcycle! Take something that is disposable and transform it into something of greater use and value.
3. Recycle metals, plastics and paper.
4. E-cycle. Recycle and/or properly dispose of electronic waste such as computers and other gadgets.
5. Don’t litter! Properly dispose of trash and waste.
6. When purchasing goods, opt for sustainable, recycled or reused resources. Choose items in less packaging. via EPA
Advocacy
1. Participate in a local environmental festival or event.
2. Organize a local event!
Start a recycling competition at work
Organize a cleanup day in your community, share the before and after photos with Pick5!
3. Establish a Green Award program in your community.
4. Talk to a friend about Pick5!
5. Find a ‘Green Mate’ across the globe, double up to make a difference. Pair up through Pick5 on Twitter, Facebook, let us know how you found each other!
6. Share your commitment on social networking sites.
7. Join or start a green club in your community.
8. Bring environmental education to your local schools and community.
9. Raise Awareness! Talk to others about the state of the environment, locally or globally.via EPA
Positive Motivation Tip: Be the change and help save and heal our planet.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos/Posters via earthhour.org Starterkit – © Photographer/Digital Artist – Lev Savitskiy or Earth Day Flag, via Wikipedia or my collection
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Oh, I thought Earth Hour & Earth Day are the same thing. I learned something today. I believe in the importance of being kind to our planet. This is a value I want to impart in my son when he grows up
A lot of people think they are run by the same group and are the same, but they are quite distinct. Thank you for reading the post! 🙂
I always mix up Earth Hour and Earth Day, in fact, I never bothered about checking out the differences! But now I know!
I’m glad you took the time to read the post and learn the difference. Thank you Tiffany!
Ashamed to day I did not take part in Earth Hour, I totally was not aware of it at all. Glad to know the differences between Earth Hour and Earth Day though – fab post! Sim x
There’s such a thing as Earth Day? Didn’t know that but I have joined Earth Hour for 3 years in a row. We re-purpose, recycle, reuse stuff around the house, we have a compost bin too, we ride bikes instead of cars and just started producing our own food and not just consuming. I think we’ve already been joining Earth Day without knowing it, on a daily basis.
I always hear about these things too late, i totally missed earth hour. On earth day I’ll be flying to Barcelona, so that isn’t very appropriate is it? 🙁
It’s fine…. enjoy your trip to sunny Barcelona! 🙂
I don’t observe either one, so thanks for spelling out the differences here.
The kids are looking forward to celebrating Earth Hour as we did take part last year.
i love the quotes! I wasn’t aware of earth hour…thanks for clueing me in!
This is the first time I’ve heard of Earth Hour. I would enjoy participating in that!
I have never even heard of Earth hour. Thanks so much!
My kids loved the earth photos! And Jaden Smith is a great celebrity to represent this campaign!
I learned a lot I did think they were both the same. The lines get blurry. I appreciate the information. What is your blog post a day on your side bar? I clicked it but it did not work. Can you assist me? I like challenges 🙂
I hadn’t even heard about Earth Hour, honsetly.
We’ve celebrated Earth Day for many years, but I have never heard of Earth Hour. I guess they have more marketing to do before it catches on.
Earth Hour is actually bigger than Earth Day. It gets a lot more press because of all the UN Heritage sites and other Landmarks that turn their lights out. Are you sure you are not confusing the two?
Good information you have shared about earth hour and earth day as many people get really confused and fail to understand the concept.
I was just talking to my students about Earth day today!!!!
I typically don’t participate in Earth day. I do my best to take care of the Earth every day. I kinda wish our town had a recycling program.
Didn’t know that there is even a difference between Earth Hour and Earth Day until now. It’s time we give back to Mother Earth 🙂
Fun! I never knew about earth hour!
I missed Earth Hour. I think I was out wasting some energy! I always thought that Earth Day and Earth Hour were from the same organization but now know the difference. My library is doing an Earth Day event and I am excited to have helped arrange.
Love the Pocoyo video! And yes, we did participate in Earth Hour. 🙂
I had thought both were the same. i.e. Earth Hour was a “newer” version of Earth Day awareness campaign.. Now I know!
I am so glad that there is an earth day. It is so important.
Thank you for sharing that video showing what went on in the world during that day. I recall on Earth Day when I watched a concert of Olivia Newton John, and she mentioned how she observed it. – Fred
Thank you for telling me about Earth hour. I do celebrate Earth Day. I enjoy doing something good for the plant.
i always forget about earth day. i really need to pay more attention.
Totally mixed these up all the time! thanks for outlining the difference!
I have heard of both Earth Day and Earth hour and participated in both. This is awesome that you are spreading the word about them both. It takes a little at a time to change something so big. Thanks for sharing.
I feel late. lol I didn’t know there was an Earth Hour. It’s definitely a movement with a powerful force behind it. I like to read about / participate in these kinds of things too.
How I wish that we could try the Earth Day. I always forget it. Thank you so much for the information.
Our household joined earth hour last last week and I’m going to encourage them to join earth day as well. I already saw some activities for earth day like fun runs.
I had no idea about earth hour! Earth day is my birthday so we always celebrate that holiday!
We did what we should during earth hour! Little things but hope it helps!
I felt sad that my hubby told me after I started laundry :/ I do try to keep lights off when I can and we only run things at night cause we heard it’s better.
I didn’t really observe Earth Hour but it’s a rule at home not to switch on anything we’re not using eg lights in rooms we’re not in. It’s cool to have Pocoyo as an ambassador so that kids can relate and start being aware from a young age
There are also several events lined up for Earth Day which includes a Run too. I also like the concept of Earth hour when we highlight energy conservation for a full hour.
Gosh, I thought Earth Hour and Earth Day is just a single celebration. We do take part in Earth Hour. Gonna read more about Earth Day history so to grasp fully what it is. Thanks for sharing this post.
I’m glad you shared this, I have always thought that they are the same.
I love that there is an Earth Day. It is such a great idea!
Yes, I have heard about the Earth hour! It’s a good concept, every bit helps! It’s a good way of making everybody aware of their environment!
Never considered looking into the differences like this-great way to educate my son a bit
Very interesting. I actually totally forgot about Earth Day, and I have not heard of Earth hour before here. Very interesting post. Thanks for sharing this information!
I didn’t know there was an Earth Hour.
I never heard of Earth Hour. This was interesting. I did not realize Earth Day was coming up either.
what a great awareness….I love Jaden’s video!
It’s truly amazing that we’ve become truly aware of our impact to nature. I always look forward to Earth Hour but we know that we can do this not just once a year. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this informative post. My girl enjoyed watching the Pocoyo video as I shared and discussed with her ways we can help to make life on Earth more liveable.
ohh…. never realize its actually different! Thanks for enlighten us.
I had no idea there was a difference. Thank you for letting us know.
I was also confused about Earth Day and Earth Hour. Thanks for sharing this with us. I learned something new today!
I have heard of Earth Day but I never heard of Earth Hour. Thank you for sharing.
I’m a huge supporter of everything that conserves – Earth Hour included! Thanks for raising awareness.
Oh yes! Thank you too! <3
Great article. Something to keep in mind.
I think Earth Hour it’s really such an important movement uniting people to protect the planet! I completely agree with you that we should “contribute to make our planet and Mother Earth a happier place to live and breathe.”
Thank you and we can all make a difference. 🙂
I used to support this but totally missed it this year. I don’t know. It just seems like not enough anymore. We need to do more. A lot more.
wow such an educational post I had never even heard of it before now
I totally agree we need to take care of our planet but to think people are responsible and can change “climate change” is crazy. Climate change was here long before us and will continue. These same people taught us when I was in school there would be an ice age by now… I am still waiting….
We can do our part to sustain our planet bu not wasting resources and by being mindful. TY!