MUMBAI Discovery Channel has pledged its support to Earth Hour 2016 with its partnership with WWF-India to help raise awareness on the importance of climate change and renewable resources to inspire people to move to solar. The promotional partnership will be leveraged through Discovery’s network in India spanning on-air, digital and social media platforms.
Earth Hour is the world’s biggest celebration where people come together for the planet. On the last Saturday of every March, millions of people across the globe unite in a stunning show of support to raise awareness about climate change. This year, Earth Hour will be observed on Saturday, March 19, 2016 from 8:30 PM-9:30 PM.
Earth Hour 2016 is calling on citizens across the country to switch off non-essential lights for the hour and go solar. Supporting the government’s pledge to move toward renewable energy, the campaign is focusing on the benefits of renewable energy for a sustainable and greener future. Blessed with approximately 300 clear sunny days, India has a potential to harness 5,000 trillion kWh of energy per year, much more than the country’s total annual energy requirement.
WWF-India marketing and communication director Himanshu Pandey said, “Earth Hour is a global campaign by WWF that not only has massive outreach but has also led to action across the world. We believe that our association with Discovery will provide us a platform to reach more people and make them more responsible towards the planet. The association with the leading television network will strengthen the Earth Hour initiative to draw attention to conservation issues that we face as a planet.”
In India, the Earth Hour campaign has received unprecedented support, demonstrated by participation in over 150 cities by several state and city governments, the armed forces, public and private sector companies, celebrities and individuals. Lights at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the prime minister’s residence, residences of chief ministers and landmark monuments like the India Gate, the Gateway of India, the Howrah Bridge etc. have been switched off every year in support of the movement.
