Earth Hour tomorrow – join the global WWF campaign

On March 28 at 8:30 p.m., nature lovers around the world will pause for a moment to do something positive for our overburdened planet. In Poland, Earth Hour will take place under the slogan of turning off the lights. Each of us can take part.

20 years of wonderful tradition

Earth Hour was launched on Saturday, March 31, 2007. In Sydney, Australia, more than 2.2 million people switched off the lights in their homes for an hour to show the then-skeptical government that climate change was a real concern for them.

A year later, thanks to WWF’s global engagement, 50 million people in 35 countries took part in the campaign, and even famous landmarks went dark for an hour: the Colosseum in Rome and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

According to observers, within just a few years Earth Hour became the largest grassroots environmental movement in the world. In 2012, the initiative was accompanied by a petition that enabled the adoption of a law in Russia protecting seas from oil spills. Other initiatives linked to the campaign included planting a forest in Uganda, introducing a ban on plastic packaging in the Galapagos Islands, and creating a new national park in Malaysia.

In 2025, Earth Hour was celebrated in 118 countries and territories, and its participants collectively gave 3 million hours to the Earth. The initiative has evolved from a symbolic gesture into a real driving force for environmental change. It is encouraging that it is also becoming increasingly popular in Poland.

Earth Hour, or 60 minutes without light

How to take part? WWF calls on individuals, institutions, and companies around the world to switch off their lights and dedicate one hour to doing something positive for our planet. Earth-friendly activities include, for example, a run in the park, meditation under a tree, stargazing, preparing a meal from local plant-based products, or cleaning the banks of a nearby stream. The idea is to engage in actions that reflect saving resources, sustainability, and close contact with nature.

Turning off the lights is not only about saving energy, but also about reducing emissions, as energy production in most countries generates significant amounts of greenhouse gases. Darkness in cities, towns, and villages is also a gesture toward animals, which are increasingly affected by light pollution.

Will Poland go dark tomorrow?

Not only individuals but also entire cities are joining the WWF campaign. The authorities of Rzeszów have announced that tomorrow from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. they will switch off lighting on selected municipal buildings, and some shopping malls will follow their example. Cities such as Częstochowa, Olsztyn, Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Leszno, and Mława have also declared their participation. Last year, lights were switched off, among others, at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland, and the Palace of Culture and Science.

What will it be like this year? Much depends on us and our neighbors. It is worth striving for dark streets and neighborhoods, if only to enjoy the view of a truly dark night sky for an hour.

The Polish branch of WWF also encourages participants in Earth Hour to vote for their favorite piece of nature. The results of the poll will be announced on Earth Day, April 22, and the submitted photographs will be used to create the largest virtual walk across Poland.