On March 28, 2009 at 8:30 pm, tens of millions of people around the world will turn out their lights for one hour — Earth Hour—to demonstrate their concern for our living planet and send a loud
message to our leaders that they support action on climate change. Here are a few ideas for ways your organisation can support and publicise Earth Hour:
1. Hold a contest among employees with a prize for the best ideas for
reducing waste and cutting energy consumption in your company’s
daily operations.
2. Ask your business partners, suppliers and industry peers to support
Earth Hour. Hang banners and posters so that your support is visible
to all who enter your offices or buildings.
3. Turn your website “go black” during the week leading up to Earth
Hour; make all white backgrounds black and all black text white.
(Google did this in 2008!) Post a blurb about the event on your
homepage that links to the Earth Hour home page.
4. Hold a company-wide event or celebration for employees the week
proceeding Earth Hour and serve “green-themed” refreshments.
Host an Earth Hour “lights out” party for your staff, customers and vendors on the night of the event. Be
sure to turn out at 8:30 pm local time.
5. Schedule a meeting or send an email to employees from the Chairman or CEO explaining why the company
is supporting Earth Hour and urge them to “turn out” at home. The entire executive team, including the
CEO, should pledge to participate as well.
6. Create an Earth Hour section on the company intranet where employees can post ideas for celebrating
Earth Hour and photos following up the event.
7. Hold employee contests with awards going to the staff member who recruits the most people to sign a
pledge to say they will participate or who comes up with the most creative promotional idea for Earth
Hour.
8. Ask the company cafeteria to hold a special candlelight lunch the week of Earth Hour, featuring dishes
prepared using organic and sustainably products to remind employees about the event.
9. Create special TV, radio and newspaper ads to showcase your company’s participation in Earth Hour and
to urge others to join.
10. Issue a news release and contact news media and radio stations and tell them what your company is doing
to support Earth Hour and why.