From record-breaking drought to raging bushfires to devastating floods to the loss of biodiversity, we’ve experienced the catastrophic impact of climate change far too many times, and this year, 2022, is a critical year for the planet and climate action. It’s now more important than ever to add your voice to the chorus and demand that we take action on climate change so we can come together to Shape our Future.

As Earth Hour fast approaches, you might be wondering what you can do to help, and it’s not just about switching off your lights. There are a number of ways to get involved this Earth Hour, both as an individual and as a business that will have a positive impact on our planet. Let’s talk about how.

SIGN UP AND SWITCH OFF

Since 2007, people around the world have been switching off their lights for Earth Hour. It’s the world’s largest environmental movement, celebrated by hundreds of millions of people in more than 190 countries and territories.

Earth Hour isn’t about saving electricity or sitting around in the dark. Earth Hour is an opportunity for people to join a worldwide community calling for stronger action on climate change. It’s an opportunity to come together with a singular goal: protect our planet.

By switching off and showing your support, you can impact the future of our planet.

Join the movement. Add your voice to the millions of people around the world calling for greater action on climate change.

Sign up for Earth Hour and switch off on March 26, 8:30 pm local time to help Shape our Future.

“WHERE’S THE REEF?!”

The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s most unique ecosystems. Home to some of our most iconic endangered species. However, climate change is threatening to destroy the Reef and the marine life that call it home.

Dugongs and turtles are two of those animals at risk as climate change continues to destroy their habitat. But there are many others. There is an inextricable link between climate change and biodiversity loss, and if nothing is done, this problem will only get worse.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help Shape Our Future and rescue the Reef. From small personal changes like using less plastic, walking or cycling to work if possible and using Reef-Safe sunscreen; to bigger, even more impactful changes like switching your super fund, bank, phone plan or energy provider to a more ethical and sustainable one.

By coming together, we can make a difference to this culturally significant icon and protect all the life that calls it home.

THE BUSINESS OF SUSTAINABILITY

The steel, aluminium, cement and concrete, timber and other industries play an important role in our lives. They help us create the homes we build, the roads we drive on, and the cities we live in. However, they also contribute well over 11% of global emissions.

If you’re involved in one of these industries and looking for a way to reduce your impact, look no further than MECLA (the Materials and Embodied Carbon Leaders Alliance).

MECLA is an organisation committed to reducing the embodied carbon in the building, construction and infrastructure sectors. Embodied carbon refers to the emissions generated during the manufacture of materials and products used in the construction and refurbishment of new and existing buildings and infrastructure. They are a key driver in climate change.

Formed with 119 founding partners, MECLA is an Alliance of industry and government organisations helping to fast track the reduction in the carbon pollution of the materials that go into building our houses and the roads, and cities we live in.

To do this, they’re creating a space for people in the industry to collaborate and innovate together. To demonstrate demand, share knowledge and develop common language for design specifications and procurement guidelines. Plus, there are already some big-hitting companies on board; companies like Lendlease, Transurban, Stockland, Sun Cable, Mirvac, Investa, Holcim, Boral, Laing O’Rourke, Aurecon and ARUP and hopefully many more to follow.

This “radical collaboration” is a positive story around market transformation, through industry and government innovating for an ambitious goal to achieve a climate safe future together.

Sign up to Earth Hour and see how you and your company can get involved and have an impact.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Are you a film buff? Do you love to learn about the great work people around the world are doing to help protect our planet?

As part of this year’s Earth Hour, we’re holding the Earth Hour Film Festival 2022. A festival chock full of films demonstrating the impact of individuals, communities and different solutions that protect nature.

Go deep into the heart of the forest and see first-hand the beauty of these towering ecosystems and the life they support in “Cry of the Forests”.

Then dive into the blue waters of the Great Barrier Reef with “Blue” and discover the plight of our most unique natural wonder where half the reef has disappeared, and one-third of the fish are overstocked.

Meet Dr Vandana Shiva as she goes up against Monsanto and works to fulfil her life purpose to feed the world in “The Seeds of Vandana Shiva”.

Then join experts, Indigenous elders and locals as they unravel the cause and effects of one of Australia’s worst environmental disasters in “The River Runs Dry”.

Get to know a new generation of environmental activists in “Wild Things”.

Then travel through time to 2029 and take a look back at the decade that could have been, as Australia transitions to a fairer, cleaner, more community-focused economy in “Regenerating Australia”.

Get inspired, get educated, get your tickets to the 2022 Earth Hour Film Festival. Sign up for Earth Hour for a full list of films and their descriptions, and to find out how to attend.