When is Earth Hour 2021? What time to switch off lights for the WWF on Saturday in UK?
Anthony France
Evening Standard27 March 2021, 9:17 am
Children celebrate WWF's Earth Hour at Edinburgh Castle (WWF)
Children celebrate WWF's Earth Hour at Edinburgh Castle (WWF)
At 8.30pm on Saturday March 27, Earth Hour will see millions around the world switch off their lights to show they care about the future of our planet.

The environmental awareness event is now one of the world’s largest movements.


Established by the World Wildlife Fund and partners in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour’s switch off is supposed to remind us that even small actions can make a big difference.

However, for the second year it will take a slightly different approach due to the Covid-19 pandemic with an online event being the best way to see homes, landmarks and businesses in 180 countries fall into darkness.

The WWF said: “When we make changes in our own lives, and when we share that with others, we also inspire the people around us to change– and we help grow a movement that businesses and governments can’t ignore.”

Earth Hour added more than a decade since it started, the climate crisis has been made worse by the rapid loss of biodiversity and nature.

What is Earth Hour?

Organisers see Earth Hour as not just a gesture but a symbol of hope, unity and collective action.

Earth Hour
Earth Hour
Wherever you are in the world, people are urged to show support for environmental issues affecting the planet by switching off lights for an hour between 8.30pm and 9.30pm.

On their website, the WWF said: “Earth Hour is open-source and we welcome everyone, anyone, to take part and help amplify our mission to unite people to protect our planet.”

While supporters are still encouraged to sit or stand in the dark for an hour as usual, organisers have something special planned.


What is the Virtual Spotlight?

Information about Earth Hour’s first-ever Virtual Spotlight is intentionally vague ahead of the big reveal.

But it has been announced that a “must-watch” video will be shared on all the team’s social media platforms, with followers encouraged to share it.

A statement said: “Whether you share it with one person or 100, you’ll be helping us place the spotlight on our planet, the issues we face and our place within it all.”

Earth Hour’s goal is to make its film the most-watched globally on March 27 so as many as possible can hear their message.

How else can I get involved?

There are plenty of free online events taking place, from a virtual exhibition of environmental awareness banners to a field observation in a pollinator habitat.

Supporters can also sign the Voice For The Planet petition to demand urgent political action to protect Earth and let world leaders know they care about nature.

WWF / Jeremiah Armstrong
WWF / Jeremiah Armstrong
What’s the legacy of the latest Earth Hour?

Earth Hour 2021 is billed as “the year that counts”.

The WWF hopes to put pressure on world leaders meeting at global conferences and forums this year to set the environmental agenda for the next decade.

This includes the G7 summit taking place in Carbis Bay, Cornwall on June 11 to 13.

Boris Johnson with gather world leaders and EU counterparts to discuss how to build a greener and more prosperous future following the pandemic. US President Joe Biden may not attend in person if Covid restrictions are not lifted, the White House said.

In 2021, the UK has taken on the presidency of the G7 group of nations.

Earth Hour says: “Crucial political decisions will be made on climate action, nature, and sustainable development – decisions that will directly affect the fate of humanity and our planet for years to come.”