WWF Guyana has been organizing the Earth Hour climate change awareness event for quite a few years. And what begun as a small gathering of people, has now become a big event, capable of rallying institutions, international organizations, business and a wide array of partners around the topic of climate change.

This year’s Earth Hour in Guyana is managed and organized by WWF Guianas – Guyana Office, in close collaboration with a series of partners: Caribbean Youth Environment Network in Guyana, Protected Areas Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Ministry of Education, Office of Climate Change, Faculty of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Guyana, Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, Conservation International Guyana, Cuso International, Rotaract Club Georgetown, Brazil Embassy, Canada High Commission, Mexico Embassy, UK High Commission, US Embassy, UNICEF, UNDP, Pegasus Hotel Guyana, Annai Central and Rupertee Village, Marriott Hotel Georgetown.

But what is Earth Hour exactly?
Earth Hour is a project managed and organised by WWF (World Wildlife Fund). It is an annual global event which puts the spotlight on climate change by bringing people together, urging action against climate change and reminding that personal actions matter. Its main and simplest action is the switching off of non-essential lights for one hour to show a commitment to some kind of action to change climate change.
Earth Hour is observed on the last Saturday in March, annually. This year, it will be held on Saturday 25th March between 8:30pm and 9:30pm, local time. It will be observed all across the world, and many international landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building will turn their lights off for the occasion.

What is important to know is that 2017 also marks the 10th anniversary of the event. Thus, to celebrate this milestone WWF Guianas – Guyana Country Office, along with many partnering organisations, has organized a round up of activities and a special (public and free) set to happen on March 25th 2017 from 7.30 pm onwards at the National Park.

Representatives from Caribbean Youth Environment Network in Guyana, Protected Areas Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Climate Change, Faculty of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Guyana, Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, Canada High Commission, Mexico Embassy, UK High Commission, US Embassy, UNICEF, UNDP; will all participate in the event, joining WWF Guyana on stage and making their pledges to #ChangeClimateChange.

Additionally, the evening will also feature a number of cultural and environmental pieces, including poetry by Rovindra Persaud and the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Science, drumming by African Kings Drumming Group, a musical rendition by Music Unlimited, steelpan compositions by Buxton Steel Pride Orchestra, dancing and face painting.
Of course, the night will also see the symbolic switching off of non-essential lights from 8:30pm to 9:30pm and lighting of the 60+ emblem.

Individuals, communities,organisations and businesses are encouraged to support and participate in this initiative, and beyond: we await you all on the evening of March 25th, 2017, at theNational Park (Thomas Lands Parking Lot), from 7:30pm, to celebrate together the largest environmental event in the world.
As mentioned, the March 25th event will be preceded by a series of awareness rising cultural and entertaining activities open to the public and happening all across Guyana.
These include:
Environment Days – a series of environment themed events, organized by the Brazilian Embassy, the Mexican Embassy and the High Commission of Canada.
March 18th 2017: “Fête de la Francophonie”: an evening of French culture and music, at 7:30 pm at Giftland Mall – organized by the High Commission of Canada.
March 21st 2017: screening of “Sunú” by Teresa Camou Guerrero, at the Mexican Embassy (44 Brickdam) at 6:30 pm – organized by the Mexican Embassy.

Recycled Art Activity – organized by Cuso International for March 22nd (9-11:30am.) and targeting 40-50 youth at the Kuru Kuru Training Center, Linden Soesdyke Highway, featuring presentations by WWF Guyana, GEA, CYEN in Guyana and Cuso International.

Climate Awareness Activities and Cultural Initiatives – organized by Iwokrama in the North Rupununi, throughout March and leading towards Earth Hour. These include: sessions on climate change with Iwokrama rangers, special screening of “Xingu” by Cao Hamburger (in collaboration with the Brazil Embassy in Guyana), Rap with students for radio programming on Radio Paiwomak on climate.

Rotaract Recycle Fair – an event that will feature the collection of items such as clothes, school supplies, toys, books, household items (all must be in good conditions), organized by Rotaract Club Georgetown on March 25th from 8.00 am to 5.00 at the Parade Ground in Georgetown.

And, on the night of March 25th:
Storytelling under the Stars in the Rupununi – an hour of traditional storytelling (in the form of narration, skits and dances) around a traditional fire, using local lighting sources (plant exudates, shells etc), organized by Bina Hill Institute, Annai Central and Rupertee Group on March 25th, Earth Hour Day.

Candlelit dinner at Iwokrama – the Iwokrama lodge will host a special dinner with no artificial lights on March 25th, Earth Hour Day.

Candlelit dinner and special eco-friendly menu at Pegasus Hotel – Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown will turn off its sign from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm on March 25th 2017 and on the same night, will also host a special Earth Hour themed candlelit dinner, featuring an eco-friendly menu, in the El Dorado Restaurant.

Let us come together to shine a light on climate action and change climate change.
Join the event: http://bit.ly/EarthHourInGuyana and share your story online: #EarthHourGuyana #EarthHour