Earth Hour 2022 - Shape our Future 'Peace by Peace'

Posted on 24 Mar 2022
To live in harmony with nature is only possible when there is peace between humans.

We are working for a world in which people live in harmony with nature - around the world, and in Central and Eastern Europe. But this is only possible if there is peace between humans. Climate crisis, nature loss and the harm caused by war to our planet is harming every one of us. We must urgently restore harmony between people and the natural world everywhere. WWF-CEE is appalled by the escalating Russian aggression in Ukraine, which violates both the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law. We condemn the alarming measures, extreme violence, destruction and the attacks against civilians in Ukraine. The catastrophic humanitarian crisis is deepening rapidly and an environmental crisis looms larger with every day that the war continues across Ukraine and the region. We stand together with our colleagues, those affected and everyone around the world that is hoping for a peaceful resolution. Peace among people is the foundation of building a future in which people and nature thrive.

Earth Hour, 26 March 8 pm, local time, this year takes place at a challenging time. The tragic war in Ukraine and the resulting humanitarian crisis are a terrifying addition to the more than 20 conflicts that are already ongoing around the world - and the pandemic continues around the globe as we enter, what we hope, will finally be the much-delayed super-year for nature, when the world has the opportunity to embrace a common goal and plan to tackle the nature loss crisis. Peace amongst people is the foundation for peace with nature.

In these difficult times, Earth Hour 2022 offers a moment for solidarity, and the opportunity to come together, look after each other and the one home we all share. 

Earth Hour is more than a symbol, it is a catalyst for change. It was founded to unite the world in support of people and the planet. Our vision has always been to create positive environmental impacts through the power of the crowd.

We invite people from all around the globe to stand together to call for a safer, fairer and more sustainable future for everyone. This Earth Hour, let’s switch off and take action together to “shape our future” where people and nature can thrive in peace. This approach of solidarity was taken by all offices of the WWF-CEE network.

In Slovakia as landmarks will symbolically switch-off, people are invited to come together and call for a secure, just and sustainable future for all. WWF Slovakia organizes an Earth Hour public event in the city center of Bratislava called „Switch off to see the trees “. People and families are invited to join to paint their favorite trees and forests and contribute to the Night Gallery which will be displayed in the Bratislava City Office palace during the switch-off hour. The event is joined by artists who will create artworks and auction their work after the Earth Hour to raise funds for initiatives helping Ukrainian refugees. 

 

The symbolic gesture of turning off the lights for an hour in Romania will be supported by a series of workshops taking place in the week of March 21-25. Through them WWF-Romania’s team focuses on reconnecting with nature, your loved ones and yourself. During the Earth Hour initiatives people can learn about the importance of nature in our lives, how to be balanced by movement, how to rebuild the world, how to give nature a better future by recycling technology, and how to cook sustainably.

 

This Earth Hour WWF-Hungary calls to action through a symbolic initiative to turn off your lights, but keep your eyes open! Switch off for an hour: from your phone, TV, computer and let it be a 60-minute digital detox spent in your community or by yourself. By registering as an individual or a settlement at this link one can join on March 26, from 8:30 pm, to turn off all electronic equipment at your home and express support for protecting our natural values.

 

In Bulgaria this year's Earth Hour campaign is more special. WWF-Bulgaria urges the public to get involved in volunteer campaigns, because this is one of the best ways to support those in need, especially in times of crisis, such as the current one. They suggest to:

  • choose a cause of your choice from the largest volunteering platform in the country - TimeHeroes
  • support the refugees from Ukraine in the most convenient way for you: https://ukraine.gov.bg/bg/

As the Earth is our common home together with the symbolic turning off the lights in solidarity with people and the planet on Saturday, March 26, at 8:30 pm the WWF-Bulgaria Team invites people to create a beautiful cap mosaic showing the Earth.

 

For WWF-Ukraine this Earth Hour is a moment for unity, hope, solidarity, strength. 41 million free people, 603 548 km2 of unique nature, history, culture and two colors that have become a symbol of action for life. Two colors, so simple and at the same time in such a meaningful equation:

💛+💙=💚


 

 

About Earth Hour

Earth Hour is WWF's flagship global environmental movement. Born in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour has grown to become one of the world's largest grassroots movements for the environment, inspiring individuals, communities, businesses and organizations in more than 180 countries and territories to take tangible environmental action for over a decade. Historically, Earth Hour has focused on the climate crisis, but more recently, Earth Hour has strived to also bring the pressing issue of nature loss to the fore. The aim is to create an unstoppable movement for nature, as it did when the world came together to tackle climate change. The movement recognizes the role of individuals in creating solutions to the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges and harnesses the collective power of its millions of supporters to drive change.

EARTH HOUR 2022

Earth Hour, the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment, took place last Saturday, 26 March at 8:30pm, offering a message of peace and solidarity for people and the planet. Take a look at the global overview here.

 For our region, especially, it was a moment to call for peace and raise awareness of support for those in need due to the war in Ukraine.

💛+💙=💚

 #EarthHour #StandWithPeace #NatureConnectsUs  WWF Hungary, WWF Bulgaria, WWF-Romania, WWF Slovakia, WWF-Україна


 

 

© Filip Boyadjiev/ WWF-CEE

© Filip Boyadjiev/ WWF-CEE

© Filip Boyadjiev/ WWF-CEE