Earth Hour

What Happened in 2009

Climate Change Message Heard Around the World!

Thank you Canada for becoming part of the solution by sending a strong message to world leaders about the need for action on climate change!

A poll commissioned by WWF-Canada shows that more than half of all adult Canadians (52%) participated in WWFs Earth Hour on March 28, creating an unprecedented call to action on climate change in advance of the UN negotiations in Copenhagen in December. The main reasons people turned off their lights were to show support for action on climate change and express a commitment to take personal action for the environment.

Globally, almost 4,000 cities in 88 countries participated in Earth Hour, far exceeding WWFs global goal of 1,000 cities. Canada was again among the leading countries in the campaign in terms both cities participating (more than 280 nationally) and for participation per capita.

The poll results also show that Canadian concern for climate change extends far beyond participating in Earth Hour. Eighty per cent of Canadians believe that Earth Hour is sending a message to the federal government that now is the time to start taking climate change seriously and develop a plan to reduce emissions.



People were inspired across the country and around the globe as monuments such as the CN Tower, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Acropolis and the Empire State Building went dark. This year we welcomed new participation from people in countries such as India and China, and welcomed back the countries that celebrated Earth Hour in 2008.

Thanks to everyone for making our climate change message heard around the world. However you celebrated, we hope it was a truly memorable experience and we hope that you continue to take actions every day to reduce your ecological footprint. Remember to make every hour Earth Hour by joining WWF-Canadas web-based community, the Living Planet Community! The next few months will be critical as we wait to see how global leaders react to this united call for action on climate change.


How low did we go?

The goal of Earth Hour is really about participation but it is also fun to track the energy reductions across the nation.

The results are just starting to trickle in and we'll update you here as we get them.

City/Town, Energy Drop (Energy Drop Percentage)
Alberta
Calgary, 10 MW (1%)
Edmonton, (5,2%)

British Columbia, 72.67 MW (1.1%)
Victoria, (3.1%)
Vancouver, (1.3%)

New Brunswick, 20 MW

Newfoundland and Labrador, (1%)

Nova Scotia, 15 MW (1%)
Ontario, 920 MW (6%)
Toronto, 455 MW (15%)
Mississauga, (10%)
Ottawa, (6%)
Oakville, (13.3%)
Peterorough, (10%)
Richmond Hill, 43 MW (27%)
Kingston, 13,462 kWh (14%)

Prince Edward Island, (9.7%)

Quebec, 150 MW (5%)

Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, (1.2%)

If your city or provinces results aren't here please ask your local city leaders or hydro company as WWF-Canada won't be following up directly with any energy providers.

Latest Updates

Thanks to our sponsors!

Turning the lights out across the country is a huge task that would not have been possible without the help of our Earth Hour sponsors! A big thank you to all of our national and local sponsors, Coca Cola, Sears Canada and CBC/Radio-Canada for helping to bring Earth Hour to life.

Thank you also to our local sponsors: BC Hydro, Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater Toronto, City of Edmonton, City of Montreal, City of Toronto, City of Vancouver, Halifax Chronicle Herald, Halifax Regional Municipality, Toronto Hydro, Toronto Star and Vancouver Sun.


BROUGHT TO YOU BY

WWF

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

CBC Coca-Cola Canada Sears Canada Energy Star
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Earth Hour 2008

 

Contact Info

For General Inquiries, please email: earthhour@wwfcanada.org

Press Contact:
Tara Wood
WWF-Canada
Ph: +1 416 484 7710
Email: twood@wwfcanada.org