Already this Saturday, March 26, at 8:30 pm, the World Wide Fund for Nature is calling to celebrate Earth Hour by turning off the lights and showing solidarity with people around the world for a better future. Under the slogan “Let’s shape our future”, Earth Hour events will take place in more than 190 countries and territories, highlighting a variety of environmental issues. In Latvia, the focus of Earth Hour is on the diversity of nature and what we can each do to improve its condition.
From the Sydney Opera House, where Earth Hour began in 2007, to the Indian Gate, Beijing Phoenix Center in China, the Brandenburg Gate in Germany, the Colosseum in Italy, the Empire State Building in the United States and the Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, many world-famous sites this year is to stand for a secure, fair and sustainable future for all.
Public participation initiatives in the fields of food, climate and biodiversity are being implemented or announced in different countries during Earth Hour per month. The World Wide Fund for Nature in Latvia organizes various educational events, discussions, nature restoration initiatives for youth and adult audiences. In March, a total of more than 600 young people were addressed in schools in various counties and called for active action for the benefit of the planet, and a project support program for schools was announced. In cooperation with companies, various educational and engagement activities were launched in March for adult audiences to preserve wildlife in Latvia.
This year in Latvia, as every year during Earth Hour, the lights of several buildings, bridges and monuments will go out, thus supporting the largest environmental campaign in the world. The central light switch in Riga will be Riga Castle. Also during the campaign the lighting will be switched off or reduced for such objects as the Freedom Monument, the House of the Blackheads, the Latvian National Theater, the Railway and Vanšu bridges, as well as the University of Latvia Academic Center building in Torņakalns, etc. Other municipalities participate in the campaign , as well as organizing events for local people. In Alūksne, Saulkrasti, Kuldīga, Olaine, Talsi, Ludza, Līvāni and many other cities, street lighting will be reduced and lights for objects and buildings will be switched off. Events dedicated to Earth Hour will take place in Lielvārde, Ogre, Ķegums, Skrunda, Sala and other places.
During Earth Hour, everyone is invited to join an online concert dedicated to this event, which will feature singer Aminata this year. The concert will be available online at Earth Hour 2022. The aim is not only to express solidarity and care for the people and our planet, but also to call for continued support for the people of Ukraine by calling the Ziedot.lv donation phone. The concert will be opened by a conversation between the Ambassador of the World Wide Fund for Nature, Kristīne Garklāvs, and Uģis Rotbergs, Chairman of the Board.
This year, the Earth Hour is also supported by several restaurants – Restaurant 3, It will be good to grow, the Chef’s House in Līgatne, JOHN, DOM, Ferma, Laivu centrs and the network of cafes Ezītis mist and others, offering dinner in the mood of the Earth Hour. Narvesen and Caffeine Latvija have also rejoined the campaign, which will turn off outdoor lighting at cafes and retail outlets, as well as support the campaign informatively. A number of Green Office companies will also take part in Earth Hour, informing employees about how to reduce their environmental impact on a daily basis, in addition to the symbolic switch-off of the light. Several retail outlets are also planning to reduce external façade lighting, such as Lidl Latvija, Stockmann and Rīga Plaza.
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