The worldwide initiative was originally launched in Sydney, Australia in 2007 by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WFF) as a way to raise awareness about the issue of climate change through symbolic collective action.
Today, the event is held each year on the last Saturday of March at 8:30 p.m. local time, with millions of people in more than 180 countries and territories embracing an hour of darkness as a way of showing support for the planet.
The initiative also serves as a way of drumming up support for increased climate action, the WFF explains.
"In 2021, world leaders will come together during key global conferences and forums to set the environmental agenda for the next decade and beyond. Crucial political decisions will be made on climate action, nature, and sustainable development –- decisions that will directly affect the fate of humanity and our planet for years to come," the initiative's website reads.
"With your support, Earth Hour 2021 could be a spotlight moment that puts nature at the center of international conversations. Together, we can speak up and show world leaders and other decision-makers around the globe that nature matters and urgent action must be taken to reverse nature loss."
Aside from lighting a candle or two, unplugging your devices and switching off your lights, there are plenty of ways to participate in marking the occasion across Canada. A few options include a livestreamed candlelit yoga class, a film screening of David Attenborough's A Life on Our Planet courtesy of the Vanocuver Kindness Movement, and virtual Earth Hour Jeopardy, among others.
In line with society's mass shift to digital events over the past year, Earth Hour is also expanding its global initiatives online in 2021.
"Over the years, the lights-off moment saw entire streets, buildings, landmarks, and city skylines go dark - an unmissable sight that drew public attention to nature loss and the climate crisis," organizers explain.
"This year - amidst the current global circumstances - in addition to switching off your lights, we also invite you to raise awareness and create the same unmissable sight online, so that the world sees our planet, the issues we face, and our place within it, in a new light."
As such, organizers have posted a video to Earth Hour's official social media feeds, and are calling on the public to share it however they see fit. They add, "Our goal is simple: put the spotlight on our planet and make it the most watched video in the world on March 27 (or beyond!) so that as many people as possible hear our message."
Check out the video below:
