First included in the sustainability agenda in 2007, “Earth Hour” is known for the “lights off” moment, with individuals from around the globe switching off their lights to show symbolic support for the planet and to raise awareness of the environmental issues affecting it.
More than 15 years later, we are now at a tipping point with our climate and nature crises, putting at risk the fate of our one home and all our futures. We are on course to breach by 2030 the 1.5°C global temperature increase limit set by the Paris Climate Agreement, and nature is also under severe threat. In the process, we have been experiencing alarming and unprecedented rates of loss globally. The next 7 years are therefore crucial to all our futures until 2030. In this period, we have to stay under the 1.5°C climate threshold to avoid irreversible damage to our planet, and we need to reverse nature loss by 2030, ending the decade with more nature and biodiversity than we started, not less. To make this happen, individuals, communities, businesses, and governments must all urgently step up their efforts to protect and restore our one home.
With the commitment of over 190 countries and more than 85,000 individuals, Earth Hour will turn this single hour that we will spend for our planet into thousands and millions of hours of action and awareness, creating a domino effect of impact that continues well beyond the 60 minutes. The Biggest Hour for Earth will become a precious moment of unity, reminding the world that our one shared home needs our help and that we all can – and must – play a part in protecting it.
To be a part of this awareness raising process as Istanbul Medeniyet University, we will be switching off the lights in IMU Ziraat Bank Library, the largest university library in Turkey, from 20.30 to 21.30 on Saturday evening and giving an hour for Earth.
IMU Sustainability Office is inviting you to switch off your lights for our planet and give an hour for Earth from 20.30 to 21.30 on Saturday, March 25, 2023, spending 60 minutes doing something – anything – positive for our planet.
Source: earthhour.org