Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1224129
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 MARCH 2020 9 CULTURE Earth Hour 2020: Lights off, stars on IN remembrance of the vitali- ty of the life on Earth, an hour, once a year is exclusively ded- icated to our Earth. It makes you think whether it is enough, doesn't it? But let's say it as it is. This hour should not soothe our conscience if it is the only hour during which we act more responsibly towards flagship earth. Earth hour is one hour of thought, commemoration and gratitude for 'everything' we owe our survival to. It is a tradition which was start- ed back in 2007 by the World Wide Fund (WWF) to encour- age people around the world to switch off their lights to call at- tention to climate change. Like climate change and linked with our anthropogenic activity there is another urgent threat; that of nature and bio- diversity loss. And this requires our utmost attention. These 60 minutes should be dedicat- ed for reflection. We should increase awareness about why climate change and nature loss are the two of the biggest en- vironmental issues facing our planet today. The rate of global loss of na- ture during the past 50 years is unprecedented in human histo- ry. And yet, intact natural sys- tems are imperative to all our futures. The main aim of this hour is to convey the message that nature must be preserved as it not only provides us with food, water and clean air, but it is also our strongest ally against climate change. Active participation in Earth Hour has blossomed and to- day engages millions of people around the world to participate and switch-off their lights. The one-hour switch-off continues to be the symbol of a wider commitment toward nature and our planet. As a result, to commemorate this day the symbolic gesture of turning off office lights will once again be carried out by the Ministry for the Environment Climate Change and Planning and in collaboration with Environ- ment and Resources Authority, Wasteserv and the Planning Authority between 20.30 and 21.30 in the evening. Minister for the Environ- ment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia de- scribed the initiative as a sign of Malta's commitment to- wards our planet. "It is a small gesture which would have a significant impact and send the right message. In such try- ing times, it is important more than ever that the country and the world come together to make a collective effort for the common good. Climate change remains one of the challenges that we need to tackle togeth- er, and with the cooperation of communities and businesses I believe we can make significant and tangible progress in this important area," he said. Earth Hour's objective is not only to switch-off lights for 60 minutes, but to also take action beyond the hour. Everyone is encouraged to take up the 'plus' and consider carrying out sim- ple acts beyond the hour such as connecting more nature and consuming less electricity to safeguard our natural resourc- es. Nature must be preserved as it not only provides us with food, water and clean air, but it is also our strongest ally against climate change. It is high time to ask people to associate their livelihood with that of nature, while standing in solidarity to show the world we care about the future we share with our planet. The vision is always to do more, so this Earth Hour join the Ministry for the Environ- ment, Climate Change and Planning to switch-off for our Earth. Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia