Shine the sun on your community

Earth Hour is on again at 8.30pm this Saturday 23 March, and the stakes have been raised. This year Australians are switching off for good by switching on to renewable energy, and there are five free systems being given away to the community with the highest number of pledges to switch.

While hundreds of millions of people across the planet celebrate Earth Hour every year, this year will see a focus on local action with the launch of the Earth Hour Community Challenge.

Through the Community Challenge the five Australian towns or suburbs that have the most pledges in relation to their size will win a free solar power system. This will be gifted to a local community organisation such as a nursing home, surf lifesaving club or athletic centre.

Dermot O’Gorman, CEO of WWF-Australia, the charity behind Earth Hour, said that around 1.5 million Australian households have switched over to renewable energy because it just makes sense, both economically and environmentally.

“Australia has an abundance of clean renewable energy resources and the cost is rapidly dropping”, O’Gorman said.

“Earth Hour has already successfully united hundreds of millions of people around the world in celebration of our planet.

“With this power behind us, I think we can truly achieve real and lasting change, building a better future through renewable energy”, he concluded.

When you pledge to switch – or indicate you’ve already switched – at earthhour.org.au, you will go into the draw to win a FREE solar power system valued at $7500.