By Veronica Corral
Lights off or lights on?
Earth Hour, a movement which began in 2007 through World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) initiatives, is celebrated annually at exactly 8:30 p.m to 9:30 p.m on the last Saturday of March to “address global threats to the planet such as climate change.”
As we turn off the computers, television sets, and other non-essential lights to take part in the symbolic switching off of lights for one hour celebrated every year, here are other ways to make Saturday (March 26) evening a bright night to remember.
Relive your love for nature
Before the city lights, there were only starlights. Nature sightseeing has always been a great escape to relax the mind, body, and soul. Take a night walk under the moonlight, or bring a telescope and gadgets and go camping and stargazing.
Cook a recipe for your family and friends
It’s your turn to try out the list of recipes you’ve always wanted to cook. Among the healthy food recipes that you may want to serve your family for dinner are overnight banana oatmeals, green vegetables salad, and fruit salads.
Enjoy quality time with your favourite people
Without the presence of other technologies, you can have a whole one hour of quality time with your loved ones and close friends.
Who says board games are ancient? Take out the chess and monopoly board out of the attic and play with your friends. You can also call a friend. Since it’s a global event, catch up with your international and internet friends and enjoy the Hour together.
Light up the bulb in your head
You cannot completely experience and appreciate the Earth Hour without understanding its purpose. Make the time to learn a thing or two on the issues that concern our planet.
Watch nature documentaries, such as “Before the Flood,” a film presented by National Geographic that will help you further understand the existence of nature loss and climate change in our times.
Be united with your community
Actively participate with the people in your community on promoting environmental awareness. One step at a time can make continuous big leaps and with the help of each other, little by little our global struggles can be solved.
Attend seminars or webinars conducted around your area that focuses on environmental issues. Once you are equipped with knowledge, start volunteering in programs and events that aim to promote awareness on nature loss and climate change.
Sweat out the night away
Fitness is the option you don’t ever want to miss out on. It is even advisable to workout and move everyday, especially with a proper diet.
Try some home workout on Youtube in your bedroom, go on a night cycle or night run, dance with your favourite upbeat playlist,and do general clearing in your bedroom like decluttering old stuff and reshuffling your furniture.
Discover the artist in you
Creativity is not a choice. It is a human nature tendency. Creativity can be learned throughout the time. Unleash your artistic side through writing poems or songs inspired by your Earth Hour experience.
You may also take out a canvas or cloth and paint, or do night photography and capture masterpieces around your area.
WWF hopes that the movement will enable the people to understand nature as “one of our strongest allies against the climate crisis,” which provides most of the human necessities to survive such as “food, water, clean air, and other services worth over US$125 trillion a year.” – ag