Shintya Kurniawanor commonly called Shintya or Tya works at WWF Jakarta as a Media Development Officer. A communication science graduate from University of Indonesia and Imago Advertising School, she loves writing and traveling. She currently actively manages her personal blog at tyadventure.multiply.comFull author profile...
On March 31, from 20:30-21:30, residents of cities around the world, including Jakarta and 25 other cities in Indonesia, will turn off the lights simultaneously. This is Earth Hour, the simplest energy-saving action to save the planet. Here are five interesting facts about Earth Hour:

1. The 60+ logo
   The Earth Hour logo originally only used the number 60 in the Planet Earth motif to symbolize the 60 minutes of time used to participate in Earth Hour. However, since 2011, the logo has added a + (plus) sign behind the number 60. The plus sign represents Earth Hour's goal of encouraging the public to take further action after one hour of turning off the lights.

   WWF hopes that the energy-saving actions taken by all Earth Hour supporters will not stop at one hour, but can continue to become a lifestyle that is enhanced by other "plus" actions for the earth. After one hour, make it a lifestyle!

2. Why is it always held on Saturday?
   Earth Hour is held on Saturdays so as not to disturb the activities of colleagues who still work late into the night on weekdays (Monday-Friday). Apart from the productivity of workers, convenience is also taken into consideration.

   Saturday is a holiday that is generally used by family members to gather together at home. The Earth Hour campaign team hopes that every family member, whoever they are, whatever their age can participate in taking simple steps to save the earth while strengthening their togetherness. On the Earth Hour Indonesia website, there are 10 tips for fun activities to do with your family when the lights go out.

3. Why is Earth Hour held every Saturday in the last week of March?
   The end of March was chosen as the time to organize Earth Hour because at that time, the majority of countries in all parts of the world are experiencing the change of seasons so that the temperature is comfortable enough for earthlings if the air conditioners and heaters are turned off during Earth Hour.

   In addition, at the end of March, on average, it is already quite dark in all parts of the world around 20:30 - 21:30 so the effect of Earth Hour will be felt. This is different from the middle of the year where certain countries are still lit up until eight in the evening.

4. Why Jakarta?
   Apart from its status as the capital city with several distinctive buildings that can be extinguished, Jakarta is also the city with the largest electricity consumption rate in Indonesia. Based on 2008 electricity consumption data, a total of 23% of Indonesia's electricity consumption is focused in DKI Jakarta and Tangerang. That's for the city scale. When comparing between islands, the Java-Bali region is the largest electricity consumer in Indonesia. As much as 78% of the country's electricity consumption is centered on these two islands.
5. What are the benefits of being more energy efficient?
   The majority of electricity we enjoy is still generated by burning non-renewable resources (petroleum and coal). In fact, we know that the availability of these fuels is dwindling and the impact of their combustion produces emissions that accelerate the rate of global warming.

   To avoid wider losses due to global warming, there are two ways we can do, namely energy efficiency and energy conversion to renewable sources. Earth Hour is one of the simplest forms of energy efficiency that can be done by every individual.

   Imagine, if only 10% of Jakarta residents save electricity during Earth Hour, the energy saved can be used to meet the electricity needs of 900 villages and provide oxygen for 534 people.

   If we have been relying on oxygen from the earth that we breathe to breathe, Earth Hour is a moment that we dedicate to the earth to breathe for a moment from the pressures it bears due to human activities. Small and simple things, if done together, will have great benefits.