Earth Hour is a Moment for Cities to Get Loud About Climate Action

By Kevin Taylor

Our planet’s future relies on our commitment to fight climate change. By making that commitment, we are investing in a world where people and the environment can flourish. In 2016, the Paris Climate Agreement set significant climate goals as 196 countries and 500 cities vowed to steer toward a renewable future. This movement was the largest gathering of heads of states and mayors from around the world, evincing just how powerful movements like these can be.

Just as cities rose up during Paris, they are now surging to the forefront of renewable progress. The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy continues to engage mayors to take sustainable actions at the local level with more than 130 U.S. cities committed to reducing emissions, increasing resiliency and tracking their progress transparently. Because our cities produce 70 percent of global emissions, it’s essential they work toward using clean energy, and luckily cities across the country and around the world are doing just that. Today, we see our cities showcasing their immense power to positively affect our planet’s future.

On March 25th, cities can show their solidarity to fight climate change alongside iconic landmarks, business, and their residents by switching off their lights for Earth Hour at 8:30pm. This year’s Earth Hour comes at a critical moment as the actions we take today will affect our ability to stave off the most dangerous impacts of climate change in the future. Every year, hundreds of millions of citizens from around the world take part in this unifying movement and we hope mayors and cities will too as the world watches this Earth Hour.

Turn up the dark and get loud about climate action. Show us you’re all in by using #EarthHour on your social media channels leading up to and during the hour and let us know your city will be participating here. You can also take action by joining the ever-growing 7,100 plus cities and local governments that have committed to the Global Covenant of Mayors.

Today, invest in a renewable future. And on Earth Hour, join the movement and show your commitment to fight climate change.