The largest global environmental movement Earth Hour returns for its 19th edition with the Biggest Hour for Earth as it unites millions around the world in celebration of our planet. The National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD) will once again lead Dominica in the observance of Earth Hour this year. Last year, Earth Hour International formally recognized the NDFD for its significant contributions in organizing Earth Hour in the Commonwealth of Dominica since 2021.
From 8:30 pm local time on Saturday, 22nd March, WWF’s Earth Hour, the world’s largest grassroots environmental movement, returns for its 19th edition with the ‘Biggest Hour for Earth’ in support and celebration of our planet. Earth Hour serves as a beacon of positivity, hope, and inspiration to rally as many people as possible in over 180 countries and territories.
Since its creation in 2007, Earth Hour has been known for its “lights off” moment. As landmarks and homes across the world switch off, supporters are also invited to symbolically switch off and ‘Give an hour for Earth’, spending 60 minutes doing something – anything – positive for our planet. In 2024, over 1.5 million hours were given to our planet by supporters around the world.
Earth Hour is more than a moment; it’s a movement that has continued to inspire and mobilise people globally, reminding us of our collective responsibility to create a more hopeful and resilient future for our planet.
In Dominica, the National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD) will once again take the lead in the observance of Earth Hour by organizing activities such as beach and river cleanups, educational outreach programs, sustainable cooking bonding activities, and a movie night featuring an environmentally relevant blockbuster.
NDFD’s Business and Entrepreneurial Development Manager (BEDM) Donald Bercasio invites everyone and all organizations to participate by engaging in an activity of their choice that benefits our planet for one hour at any time on March 22. Bercasio also encourages all participants to share their videos or photos with the NDFD for these hours to be accounted for or to tag the Foundation’s social media handles when posting these activities online.
Kirsten Schuijt, Director General, WWF International: “The stakes have never been higher. The past year was the hottest on record—capping off the hottest decade, with the hottest seas ever recorded. We’ve witnessed historic wildfires, storms, and droughts as well. Our world is in peril and we are rapidly approaching dangerous climate tipping points beyond which key ecosystems may never be able to recover. Earth Hour is a powerful reminder of the urgency to act while we still can. It is not just about switching off lights; it’s about switching on a global movement for change. By engaging individuals, communities, and businesses, we can create a collective force that drives real impact and inspires hope for a sustainable future.”
Through the Hour Bank, Earth Hour invites everyone, everywhere to find the most enjoyable ways to give an hour for Earth. Whether it is cooking a sustainable meal at home, catching a nature documentary, taking a mindful walk through the woods to bask in nature and feel the earth, or engaging in a home scavenger hunt to identify and swap out unsustainable products with eco-friendly alternatives, there are myriad options to choose from. The Hour Bank provides a list of activities and events based on participants’ lifestyle interests and preferences, from food and fitness to art and entertainment.
