Earth Hour 2023 in Curaçao
Worldwide, millions of people, companies and municipalities turned off their lights for one hour during Earth Hour on Saturday 25 March to draw attention to the fragile nature. On Curaçao, Earth Hour was also celebrated. With the cooperation of Curaçao Ports Authority, the non-essential lighting of the Queen Emma Bridge was turned off.
The Queen Emma Bridge © WWF-NL / Clayton Lanoy
People passing by asking questions about Earth Hour © WWF-NL / Clayton Lanoy
Earth Hour is an annual initiative of the international WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature). This initiative started in 2007 in Sydney as a small-scale action that drew attention to climate change. Afterwards it has grown into the world’s largest conservation movement. Last year, millions of people, businesses and organizations participated in more than 190 countries and territories. The lights go out en masse from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. local time. In addition to turning off lights, WWF urges to do something positive for the Earth for more than 60 minutes (hence the 60+ logo). This could be, for example: picking up litter in the neighbourhood, recycling more, planting trees, etc.
WWF-NL is the driving force behind Earth Hour in the Netherlands, but spontaneous events are also organized throughout the country. WWF-NL decided this year to also involve Curaçao in the organization around this grassroots movement. In the Caribbean, the foundation starts with Curaçao first and aims to expand to another island of the Dutch Kingdom every year. It is important that the islands participate in Earth Hour as we are all affected by climate change. Small islands are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Due to the rise in sea levels and global warming, the risk of extreme weather such as extreme drought, severe flooding and hurricanes is high. This has a major impact on the economy of the islands, the well-being and prosperity of the population.
