Earth Hour: origins in 2007 in Australia
Earth Hour has become a global symbol in defence of the environment and people and in the fight against climate change.
After starting in Sydney on 31 March 2007 as a symbolic gesture to draw attention to climate change, millions of people around the world are now taking part in the initiative.
The Australian city was followed by the American city of San Francisco with a similar proposal called Lights Out.
In 2008, 35 countries had already signed up to the initiative, with almost 200 having done so in the latest edition.
Earth Hour 2025
The 2025 edition will be held on 22 March from 20:30 to 21:30 in the local time of all those who adhere and WWF encourages us to participate by adding hours of care for the planet.
This 2025 also features the proposal #MiRincónDelPlaneta (My Corner of the Planet), where you can share your favourite corner of nature, be it a beach, a route, a mountain, a cycle route or a forest: places in nature that need to be preserved in the face of the climate crisis.
Also, on the 22nd itself at 6:30 p.m., the documentary series ‘The Americas’, a production narrated by Tom Hanks that uses the most advanced film technology to show the wonders, secrets and curiosities of wildlife on the American continent, can be enjoyed at the Espacio Movistar in Gran Vía 28 in Madrid.
We also invite you to visit the Espacio Fundación Telefónica exhibition ‘Echoes of the Ocean’, a sensory and immersive experience that invites reflection on environmental responsibility, urging us to protect and preserve the balance between human beings, nature and other species.
What is Earth Hour for?
This initiative organised and sponsored by the non-governmental organisation World Wide Fund for Nature (better known as WWF) consists, as its name suggests, of switching off the lights of buildings and monuments for 60 minutes.
Individuals at home can also join in to raise awareness of a worrying situation, with 2023 set to be the hottest year on record.
The value of Earth Hour goes beyond these minutes: it serves to remind us of the importance of preserving nature and how much we need it for the most basic things: the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat, and how defending and preserving it also serves to look after our health and well-being.
Telefónica, committed to Earth Hour
As every year, Telefónica joins as a participating company and media partner in this initiative.
Not only will the lights be switched off in buildings and on their signs or in the most emblematic shops, but the Telefónica Foundation’s Volunteers programme will also carry out activities in favour of nature.
As we can see in the photos of the Earth Hour 2023 publication on X (formerly Twitter), Telefónica switched off its emblematic building on Madrid’s Gran Vía:
Conclusion
Although it is a symbolic action, any help to combat climate change is not enough. That is why we must make everyone aware that any action, however small, can be important.
60 minutes to remind us of the importance of responsible energy consumption, to promote the use of renewable energies or the promotion of services and products that encourage a low-carbon economy to promote more sustainable development.
An hour to stir consciences and, although it may not seem like much time, it is good for any time of the remaining 364 days of the year (just this year, 365 remaining days, yes…) to take this into account and act accordingly.
Telefónica is aware that climate change is “undoubtedly one of the most important challenges we are currently facing as a society” and is therefore joining Earth Hour for yet another year.
