People around the world are once again being encouraged to switch off all nonessential electricity this Saturday for an hour, in a bid to protect the planet.
Each year, millions of people take part in the event organised by WWF, which sees major landmarks plunged into darkness – from Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster, to Blackpool Tower, The Kelpies, Brighton Pier and Cardiff Castle.
The idea is to raise awareness of the environmental challenges we all face and what we can do to tackle them. This year will be no different, with landmarks across the country turning off their lights at 8.30pm.
Want to get involved? Here’s how.
Switch off on Saturday night.
Turn off all unnecessary electronics in your home during Earth Hour, which is this Saturday 30 March at 8.30pm. That means switching off the lights, the kettle, the TV, and any other plugged-in items that don’t need to be on.
Or, if you want to make a bigger event of it, WWF suggests hosting a candle-lit dinner party or going stargazing. Plenty of local businesses and charities get involved by hosting their own event, too. Check out the Earth Hour event map to see what’s on near you.
Cut your energy use year-round.
While turning off your lights for an hour is a great way to show support for sustainable living, cutting down your electricity usage year-round could really limit the impacts of climate change, Gareth Redmond-King, head of climate and energy at WWF, told HuffPost UK.
Here are his tips for how to create a lasting impact at home.
1. Turn your washing down to 30°C
According to Redmond-King, making this change could save 57% of energy use in laundry, and help reduce your carbon footprint. “We’re the first generation to experience the effects of climate change, and we may well be the last to be able to change it,” he said. “This small action could make a big difference.”
2. Use energy-saving lightbulbs
Lighting accounts for around 20% of a household’s energy bill, so changing your bulbs could instantly save you money, said Redmond-King. “Replacing an old-style bulb with an energy efficient one will save £45 over the lifetime of the bulb, while changing all of your halogen lights for LEDs could save £40 per year,” he added.
3. Check your boiler
You should get your boiler serviced regularly to make sure it runs efficiently. Replace old gas boilers with more efficient condensing ones. “If you currently heat with oil, LPG or electricity, you could make a big dent in your heating costs and carbon emissions by installing a heat pump,” he said.
4. Make your home smart
The introduction of smart apps that allow you to control plugs sockets remotely have made it easier than ever to ensure all your appliances are switched off. Simply sync the socket to your phone and, if you want to double check you’ve unplugged a device at home, log in and switch it off.
5. Insulate your home
While apps like Hive allow you to control your heating, insulating your home properly will stop it feeling so cold in the first place, said Redmond-King. “Fur keeps animals warm by trapping heat inside, and insulation works just the same,” he explained. “Sadly, the ‘skin’ of many of our homes isn’t quite up to the job: they could do with an extra layer or two. Add extra layers of insulation to your loft, walls and floors. This could save you money on heating too.”
Find out more about Earth Hour on its dedicated website here.