World celebrates Earth Hour on 26 March each year. On this date, all are encouraged to turn off their lights for an hour at 8.30 PM as a symbol of solidarity and of what it looks like to have the world united for a cause – for a safer, greener planet.
For those looking for interesting ideas to make it something other than an hour of sitting in the dark, here are seven interesting ways you can spend the hour.
Reconnect with nature
Instead of spending the time indoors, spend the hour outside with friends and family. You may explore nearby parks or natural spaces. Night hikes or even a camping trip will be an interesting way to spend the weekend.
Have a candle-lit dinner
Not just for Valentine’s Day, make use of Earth Hour to enjoy some wholesome planet-friendly dishes. This is a great time to have a unique setting to enjoy some homemade meals. (We do not recommend cooking in the dark, so be sure to prepare the meal an hour or so beforehand!)
Spend time with your loved ones
Stay in and use the hour to spend some quality time with those who matter most to you. Take the chance to educate yourself by watching a nature documentary together, listen to music, or read a book together in the candlelight.
Educate yourself
Awareness is the first step before action. Use the Hour to learn sustainability tips, about nature loss and climate change and more. There are various podcasts and resources to turn to. One resource to consider is the Award-winning documentary “Our Planet” that is free to watch on YouTube and features the iconic David Attenborough. Parents can also do science experiments about the natural world with their kids.
Connect with and give back to the local community
Attend a local Earth Hour event! Be it virtual or on-the-ground, choose from live events hosted by local influencers and artists to guided meditation sessions and movies. See a full list of events here. One can also sign up to volunteer for local organizations and initiatives such as nature-clean ups, tree-planting initiatives and more.
Get active
Get moving and sweating this Earth Hour! Go on a night cycle or night run and if you’re looking for something with less cardio, listen to a guided meditation track as you do a few stretches.
Discover your artistic side
Being in a different environment might be the muse that you need to create something new. Do some night photography or challenge yourself with “light painting”. You can also try painting with glow-in-the-dark non-toxic neon paint.
Which of the above did you pick?