By: Natalia Trita Agnika

In March, citizens of the world are gearing up for a global campaign movement that aims to deliver messages to tackle climate change. The campaign, known as EARTH HOUR, takes place every last Saturday in March at 20:30-21:30 (local time). This year, EARTH HOUR will be held on Saturday (19/03). For one hour, at the same time, the public consciously and enthusiastically joins in turning off lights and electrical devices that they do not use and subsequently becomes a lifestyle.

This global campaign was initiated by WWF and has involved many parties in several countries. In 2013, as many as 2.3 million people participated in turning off unused electrical appliances for one hour.

EARTH HOUR in Indonesia
In Indonesia, EARTH HOUR started in 2009 only in Jakarta. The theme was "Choose a Happy Earth or a Dying Earth?". In the following year, 2010, the theme "Change the World in 1 Hour" was raised to open the eyes of the public that even individual support can contribute to world change.

EARTH HOUR is more than just a campaign to turn off the lights. That's why, in 2011, the theme "After 1 Hour Made a Lifestyle" accompanied by the "60+" logo change is expected to invite the public to make it a lifestyle every day. After becoming a lifestyle, public participation was further enhanced with an invitation to take positive action for the environment through the message "This is my action! Where is your action?" carried by EARTH HOUR 2012 to 2015. Various environmentally friendly actions have emerged, such as energy saving (using electricity as needed at home and work), public transportation (switching or using public transportation more often to reduce the burden on private vehicles), reducing plastic waste (bringing reusable shopping bags, bringing your own drinking bottle), and reducing paper usage.

Small but real action
The uniqueness and strength of EARTH HOUR lies in the small but tangible actions taken by many parties. Apart from turning off lights and unused electrical appliances and making it a lifestyle, another concrete action is to provide financial support for conservation programs promoted at EARTH HOUR. Through crowdfunding, many people can donate money to fund forest and marine conservation programs that are being worked on by EARTH HOUR activist communities in various regions.

The EARTH HOUR movement has now become public property. Starting from individuals, communities, to corporations are also committed to supporting EARTH HOUR. In 2015, IndoRunners, a community that spreads the running 'virus' in Indonesia, took action to run for a sustainable nature. Through "7-7-7: 7 Regions, 7 K, 7 Causes", they invited the public to care and donate for the environment.

Voice of action through social media
The EARTH HOUR campaign will have more impact if more people join and commit to it. Let's spread the virus of environmental love to many people. Utilize the power of social media to help save nature. On this year's EARTH HOUR, shine a light on action to address the impacts of climate change through the power of social media. One way is to donate a social media account to voice concern and action for the Earth.

Are you ready for EARTH HOUR Indonesia? This is MY ACTION, where is YOUR ACTION?