The United Nations will switch off its lights at it New York Headquarters tonight in support of Earth Hour, an annual event featuring the participation of millions of people around the world to call attention to the need for climate action.
Organized by WWF, Earth Hour asks people to turn off their lights for one hour—between 8:30-9:30 local time—to show solidarity and support for climate action.
“Climate change is a people problem,” says UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a video message for Earth Hour.
“People cause climate change and people suffer from climate change. People can also solve climate change.” —UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
This year, Earth Hour takes on an even greater meaning for the UN as the world will be coming together to adopt a new sustainable development agenda in September, and a new climate agreement in Paris this December.
Paris, the Secretary-General said, “will be the culmination of a year of action on sustainable development.”
He added that by turning out the lights, “we also highlight that more than a billion people lack access to electricity. Their future well-being requires access to clean, affordable energy.”
Sudhanshu Sarronwala, the Chair of Earth Hour, said that people in 172 countries would be participating in the event. “Earth Hour is WWF’s mass engagement movement for the climate. It works to engage the people to bring them into the debate. It helps to move the discussions from the conference rooms to the dining rooms; from the corridors of power to the grass roots. That’s where we see the impact of Earth Hour.”
Janos Pasztor, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Climate Change, said Earth Hour was not only symbolic, but was linked to the strategy of the Secretary-General which aims to support the political process. “We need an agreement—we need a good agreement. The Secretary-General is prepared to use the good offices of his position to act as an honest broker to support solutions to difficult issues that arise in the negotiations.” The Secretary-General is also working to support the action agenda started at last year’s Climate Summit, to ensure a climate finance package, promoting South-South cooperation, and promoting mobilization.
