Earth hour: Switch off the lights for climate action – and for those without lights

Don't forget to switch off your lights for Earth Hour at 8.30pm (20:30) on Saturday 28 March. It’s a global campaign started by WWF and held every year to show support for action against climate change. But as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in this video message, it’s also a chance to highlight another crucial challenge: providing universal access to electricity, a fundamental building block for social and economic development. “By turning out the lights we also highlight that more than a billion people lack access to electricity,” Ban says. “Their future wellbeing requires access to clean, affordable energy.” Nearly one-fifth of the world’s population still lack electricity. Twice as many rely on solid fuels such as wood, charcoal, animal or crop waste for cooking and heating – fuels that can take hours to gather and fill their homes with dangerous smoke. So when you switch off your lights on Saturday, spare a thought for the one in five people who can’t just flick a switch to turn them back on. Share your experience on social media #EarthHour. www.earthhour.org/     SEforALL asks you to join the Earth Hour and switch off your lights in solidarity with the energy poor on Saturday March 28 at 20:30.