Earth Hour 2022

Earth Hour is an international call for people to protect our planet by taking a stand against climate change.

Switching off your lights and appliances on 26 March from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm is a symbolic way of showing that you’re against climate change and that you’re supporting Earth Hour.

South Africa and energy

The campaign is championed by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Earth Hour 2021 saw 192 countries and territories coming together to shine a spotlight on the health of the planet, raising awareness about the importance of nature and inspiring action for a brighter future for nature and people. Earth Hour is the perfect example of the impact millions of people can have when united for a common cause.

South Africa is heavily dependent on coal (fossil fuel) to generate energy. This isn’t a sustainable way of electricity generation and fossil fuel is also responsible for high carbon emissions, which leads to climate change. We need a good mix of renewable energy and fossil fuel to reduce our carbon emissions, supply cheaper electricity and make energy production sustainable in the long term. 

In South Africa the primary sources of renewable energy are:

• Solar: Solar energy works by capturing the sun’s energy and turning it into electricity.
• Wind: Wind power uses air flow through wind turbines to generate electricity.
• Hydroelectric: Flowing water creates energy that can be captured and turned into electricity, called hydroelectric power or hydropower.
• Biomass: Biomass is a fuel developed from organic materials (e.g. scrap lumber, certain crops, manure, etc.) and is a renewable and sustainable source of energy used to create electricity or other forms of power.

What you can do

Here’s how you can spend the Hour with your friends, family, and community - whether at home, outside, online, or in-person - to make it an impactful evening to remember:

1. Reconnect with nature.
2. Cook a meal with your family or friends.
3. Spend time with your loved ones.
4. Up your knowledge.
5. Connect with (and give back to) your community.
6. Get active.
7. Discover your artistic side.

Taking part in Earth Hour isn't only about committing for 1 hour on 1 day - it's about committing every day to take care of each other and the 1 home we all share. You can go beyond the Hour to shape a brighter future for people and the planet.

At the very least, please remember to switch off your lights and appliances on 26 March at 8:30 pm till 9:30 pm. Let’s make a collective effort to go beyond the hour and keep our electrical appliances off for as long as we can on the day and throughout the year.

WWF Earth Hour Adventure

Get into the spirit of Earth Hour with family and friends by participating in an orienteering-style adventure dash through the beautiful Plaisir de Merle Wine Estate, situated at the foot of the Simonsberg Mountain between Paarl and Franschhoek. 

WWF will again be hosting an Earth Hour Adventure, where participants will navigate their way to hidden checkpoints dotted across the picturesque wine farm. After all the action, enjoy a wine tasting or a delicious meal or picnic, basking in the knowledge that you have done your bit for nature- and had some fun doing so!

Tickets are from R150 and can be purchased at Quicket.