Earth Hour is a global environmental movement organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). It began in Sydney, Australia, in 2007, and has since grown to become one of the world’s largest grassroots movements for the environment. Earth Hour encourages individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential lights for one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. local time, as a symbolic gesture to show their commitment to protecting the planet. Earth Hour 2024 was celebrated under the overarching theme of sustainability on March 23rd.
By participating in Earth Hour, individuals and organizations demonstrate their concern for the environment and their willingness to act against climate change. Beyond the symbolic act of turning off lights, Earth Hour aims to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable practices and the need for urgent action to address environmental challenges. Therefore, it was crucial for Policy Forum Guyana to participate in Earth Hour observances, as its mandate involves addressing climate change and promoting environmental education through the adoption of the 1.5°C lifestyle.
Summary of the Scavenger Hunt
The Eco-Explorers Scavenger Hunt at Earth Hour commenced at 4:30pm and ended at 5:30pm at the Botanical Gardens. It was the highlight of the Earth Hour activities. Before the hunt began, a brief orientation was conducted to remind everyone of the rules and their need to respect the environment during the activity. The teams were tasked with determining the correct order of the picture clues based on the descriptions on each one. To ensure an enjoyable game for both categories, there were separate designated areas for juniors and for seniors. Most teams were seen running back and forth in the scavenging areas to ensure their teams brought first place. The winning team was announced based on their ability to present the list of clues in the correct order to the judge within the fastest time. However, all participants were winners, having experienced a memorable adventure and gaining a deeper appreciation for the environment. As such, all teams were presented with Participation Certificates. The first and second places winners in each category were presented prizes and trophies during the Countdown to Switch Off Concert later in the evening.
