There’s never been a better time to take action and look after our planet.

With rising sea levels, extreme weather conditions and threats to our flora and fauna, the issue of climate change is more serious than ever. While a lot of the damage is irreversible, the good news is there are many simple ways you and your business can get involved in raising awareness about climate change issues to help protect our planet.

Helping the environment doesn’t have to be complicated in order to make a difference. On Saturday, March 30 at 8:30pm, you’re invited to switch off and join in the world’s largest environmental movement, Earth Hour. For the hour, all you need to do is light some candles and turn off the lights to help magnify the conversation on climate change and biodiversity.

Did you know that more than 80% of Australia’s flowering plants, mammals, reptiles, frogs and almost 50% of our birds are found no where else on Earth? It’s our responsibility to keep these threatened species alive for generations to come, and there are plenty of achievable ways we can do this.

Wondering how you can help out this Earth Hour? Here are 7 simple ways your community can band together to join millions of others in the global environmental movement:

1. Switch off for Earth Hour and register your participation 

To make it official, register your participation in Earth Hour. If you are planning on getting your business involved, you can send in your company logo to be displayed on Earth Hour’s website.

2. Take part in the Earth Hour Solar Light Challenge 

Earth Hour has partnered with SolarBuddy, an Australian charity that provides solar lights to children in Papua New Guinea that live in remote communities. Find out more here.

3. Use the hashtag #switchoffchallenge

Share photos on your social media channels using the hashtag to show how your local community is getting involved in Earth Hour.

4. Reduce your carbon footprint

By doing simple things like using less energy, recycling and joining the Renewable Energy Revolution, you (and your workplace) can alleviate your carbon footprint everyday!

5. Pick up a pack with posters and social media kits to hype yourself up

As well as using hashtags on your social media channels to share your involvement in Earth Hour, you can download plenty of Earth Hour imagery to encourage other communities to get involved.

6. Host an event during the week of Earth Hour

Why not switch off for an hour each day in the lead up to Earth Hour? Whether it’s a picnic or cocktails by candlelight, gather your group and practice preserving the Earth with fun-filled events.

7. Become an Earth Hour sponsor

Interested in long-term involvement in environmental preservation? Get in touch to find out how to become an Earth Hour sponsor.