Here's How You Can Get Involved in Earth Hour 2021

Set those clocks for sustainability.

This Saturday at 8:30pm local time is Earth Hour, which is a movement by WWF Australia for individuals, businesses, schools and communities to come together and literally switch off their power for a good 60 minutes.

The movement and event is designed to bring awareness to our heavy reliance on electricity and the negative effects that it is having on the environment. This year, Earth Hour is encouraging Australians to #SwitchforNature to support the move to a more renewables-based grid and economy.

If you’re a big fan of the environment and you want to take every step you can to tackle the climate crisis, this is a super easy way that you can do your bit and take away future habits.

So, here’s how you can get involved and what you can do to make a difference.

Ways to switch off this Earth Hour.

Each year the most common way to do your bit for Earth Hour is by turning off all the lights in your house. And while that does make a difference, there are so many other small things you can consider giving a try if you want to go the extra mile.

Here is our short list:

• Turn off all the lights in your house and give candles a go.
• Turn of all electrical appliances that you’re not using. This includes unplugging the cord from the wall (it’s okay, you can leave your fridge on).
• Spend the whole day—not just the hour—using renewable or carbon neutral forms of transport like walking, riding a bike or even skateboarding to any locations you need to be at.
• Try a vegetarian or vegan meal for dinner.
• Have a cold meal for dinner instead of using the gas or electricity it takes to heat up food with your stove, oven or microwave (just make sure everything is food safe).
• Have a cold shower, it’s great for your skin and the environment!
• Collect all the extra water from your shower to use on your indoor plants or garden.
• If you want to really go off the grid, avoid charging your devices in advance for entertainment and get together with your fam and try a board game or have a chat instead.

How to sign up to Earth Hour this year.

Just like you can unplug your devices and turn off your lights on your own, you can also sign up to WWF Australia’s Earth Hour and pledge to #SwitchforNature this year.

By signing up you will be joining thousands of others who are committed to making a difference to our environment. Plus, you could even go into the running to win an awesome prize.

Yep, this year WWF Australia is giving away a Fonz Moto electric scooter to one Earth Hour pledger.

All you have to do to sign up and enter the scooter comp is head to WWF Australia’s Earth Hour website and scroll down to their sign-up section. Then just enter your details and prepare to switch off (there’s just over 24 hours left).

Things you can do after Earth Hour.

Earth Hour is a great cause, and an awesome time for Aussies to challenge the ways that we use our electricity. However, if you want to keep making a difference after Saturday night, here’s some things you can keep doing.

• Be conscious of only plugging in and turning on lights and appliances when you need them.
• Switch your ride altogether and opt for public transport as often as you can.
• Implement vegan, vegetarian or cold meals into your diet on a more regular basis.
• If you or your fam can afford it, consider saving up and switching to solar power at home.
• To keep the movement going, write to your local member about why we need to make the switch to renewable energy all over Australia.

So, set your calendars and prep that timer, 'cos Earth Hour is just around the corner.

Header Image: Nastco via Getty Images