By: Syevira Citra and Ciptanti Putri

The Earth Hour 2014 global campaign has officially begun. In Indonesia, last week a number of events were held to mark the start of the annual campaign that culminates in the action of turning off lights and electrical appliances for one hour every March 29 at 20:00 - 21:00 local time.

A Media Briefing was held last Thursday (13/02) at a mall in Jakarta. The event, titled "Earth Hour Global Launch", was packed with over a hundred invited guests consisting of members of the media as well as representatives from a number of official Earth Hour 2014 partners. Andy Ridley, CEO and Co-Founder of Earth Hour Global, specially opened the event which started at 1:00 pm. Andy presented a video about Earth Hour Blue projects around the world. At the end of the session, Andy and Jeff Blake, Chairman Worldwide Marketing & Distribution Sony Pictures Entertainment, announced Earth Hour's new global ambassador, none other than the super hero Spider-Man.

Earth Hour Blue is a radical digital crowdfunding and crowdsourcing platform for the Earth. It was launched to enable people around the world to use their superhero-like powers to make a real contribution to Earth's sustainability. Spider-Man was also chosen as a global ambassador because the entire crew and cast of the latest movie of the super hero's story, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, have a high concern for environmental issues and totally support the Earth Hour Blue campaign.

"Earth Hour has expanded beyond what was ever imagined. This year, with the help of Spider-Man, we are taking the movement to the next level. We hope Spider-Man can empower individuals to become superheroes to save our planet, by using their vote or money to support activities or campaigns around the world. It's about mobilizing the power of the masses, and that's what Earth Hour Blue is all about," said Andy Ridley.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 director Marc Webb became the first celebrity ambassador to launch his Earth Hour Blue campaign, which helps WWF Rangers protect Indonesia's endangered species, such as Sumatran Tigers, Elephants, Rhinos and Orangutans, and their forest habitats, with better equipment.

"Earth Hour is a movement of super heroes, people who rally the power of community to inspire change for the good of the planet. Imagine the possibilities when we come together and do more," said Marc Webb.

Nyoman Iswarayoga, Communications & Advocacy Director WWF-Indonesia said, "Since the Earth Hour movement was first launched in Indonesia in 2009, the growth of support from individuals and communities has been tremendous, especially for a country like ours. Last year alone, 31 independent Earth Hour communities in 31 cities were involved in driving the Earth Hour mission, and these communities have become the new generation of change agents in Indonesia."

A session that captured the attention of the guests at the event was when a video of a new program from WWF-Indonesia called "Power Up A Ranger" was played. Afterwards, Kamilla Parakasi, a WWF Tiger Ranger who had served in Sumatra and whose struggles were captured in the Power Up A Ranger video, appeared and recounted her experiences and difficulties while still serving in the field.

At 7:30 pm on the same day, an "Earth Hour Champion's Talk" was held at a foreign cultural center in Jakarta. In attendance were Earth Hour Champions from various cities, community activists, bloggers, and the general public. The event started with a number of speeches and the screening of the filler "Earth Hour 2014 100% Indonesia". A compilation video "Earth Hour 100% Indonesia Documentation" from Earth Hour 2013 celebrations across Indonesia was also screened. Andy Ridley again had the opportunity to present a video about the Earth Hour Blue Global project and have a dialog with the audience.

Ariel Noah, Earth Hour Indonesia Champion and one of Earth Hour Indonesia's Ambassadors, then joined the stage to share his actions last year when he first joined Earth Hour. He also explained his action plan for this year. Nadya Hutagalung as Earth Hour Global Ambassador also shared her involvement with Earth Hour and WWF-Indonesia, as well as her role as a supporter of Elephant Warrior.

There were also seven representatives from Champion cities who already have programs in each city. Ika Juliana, City Coordinator of Earth Hour Bali, talked about the long-term programs of Earth Hour activists in Bali, one of which is the Coral Adoption Program "Birukan Laut". Satya Adri Krisnugraha, Online Coordinator of Earth Hour Jogjakarta, shared about the city's ongoing "Baby Tree Friend" Tree Adoption Program. While Prasetiawan, Earth Hour Bekasi City Coordinator, shared about the River Cleanup Program.

On Sunday (16/02) morning, an event titled "Jelajah Jakarta & Piknik Bareng" was organized as a continuation of the inauguration of the start of the Earth Hour campaign in Indonesia. The event, which coincided with the car free day moment, took a route from Senayan Roundabout, Kampung Hijau Benhil, to end at Beos Station, Kota. Transjakarta buses and other modes of public transportation that crossed the route were packed with passengers who compactly wore white shirts and brought their own drinking bottles.

The day's action was intended to encourage the use of public transportation and reduce the use of disposable food/beverage containers that only add to the waste burden. Both represent the realization of an environmentally friendly lifestyle in urban areas. The same action with different activities also took place in various cities across Indonesia which have implemented the car free day system.