EARTH HOUR EMBRACED BY GENERATION-NEXT

Earth Hour is seeing record numbers of children and teenagers all around the globe getting involved in the campaign to take action for a sustainable future. From Libya to Swaziland and India to Singapore, Earth Hour is being celebrated and in some cases organised by youths who want to protect the planet.

“We have a lot to learn from the passion, commitment and knowledge of young people who are making a difference to the planet – these are truly the most inspiring stories ,” said Andy Ridley, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Earth Hour.

Earth Hour’s youngest Ambassador, 13-year-old Wildlife Warrior, Bindi Irwin, firmly believes that each and every one of us can make a difference.“The footprints you leave on the planet today, will effect generations to come, your children and grandchildren,” she says.

“We must all work together to make this world a better place, to ensure that our future is a bright one. WWF’s Earth Hour is a great way to get involved and start making a change. If we don’t start changing our ways soon, there will be nothing left for my generation, and the generations after me.”

This year, more than ever, many in ‘generation-next’ are rolling up their sleeves and taking on the challenges of Earth Hour themselves.

Just months after the end of the uprising, two youths have teamed up to organise Libya’s first ever Earth Hour celebrations. Despite continued civil unrest, Mohammad Nattah (18) and Muhammad Bugashata (20) are determined to see the lights switched off in the former King’s Castle in Tripoli, “Libya is ready for Earth Hour 2012,” Bugashata said.

Meanwhile, over in Swaziland, 16-year old Nathi Mzileni has organised his country’s Earth Hour response all by himself, persuading Big Game Parks to participate in an I Will If You Will challenge, and garnering the support of Swaziland’s biggest newspaper to promote Earth Hour. He’s also enlisted the backing of three government departments.

“I am only young. But I believe that we have to work together to make things happen to make this world a better place,” he said.

Across the other side of the globe in Canada, the Green Team at Shawinigan High School have made a video to raise awareness for Earth Hour. And ten post-secondary schools from across Alberta have a friendly rivalry to see which can sign up the greatest number of students to participate on March 31.

Indian teenagers will be partying for Earth Hour at the huge MTV Unplugged event to be held at India Gate Lawns in the heart of New Delhi. At 8.30pm the lights of the iconic India Gate will be switched off and the concert will be powered by alternative sources of energy, including pedal power.

One of Earth Hour’s youngest supporters is seven-year-old Sheryl Ng from Singapore. The youngster has pledged if she can convince 100 people to switch off all their lights for one hour, she will step up on stage at her school and give a speech about Earth Hour in front of 1000 students.

But the last word belongs to legendary Dr Seuss character, the Lorax, who has promised to turn his moustache green for a whole day on 31 March, if 500 children promise to switch their lights off for Earth Hour.

According to The Lorax: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.”

Earth Hour has grown from a one-city initiative in 2007, to a 5,251 city strong global movement, last year reaching 1.8 billion people in 135 countries across all seven continents.

Earth Hour 2012 will take place at 8.30pm – 9.30pm on Saturday 31 March Watch the 2012

- Earth Hour