EARTH HOUR 2015 EARTH HOUR - WWF

EARTH HOURSUPPORT PACK FOR YOUTH GROUPS

wwf.org.uk/earthhour#EarthHourUK

2015EARTH HOUR

Saturday 28 MARCH 2015 | 8.30pm | #EarthHourUK

Be part of it at: wwf.org.uk/earthhour

Earth Hour 2015: Support pack for youth groups

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wwf.org.uk/earthhour #EarthHourUK

Be part of Earth Hour 2015 – the world’s biggest celebration for our amazing planetAt 8.30pm on Saturday 28 March, hundreds of millions of people from across the world willcome together and switch off their lights for one hour in a symbolic and spectacular display.It’s a time to celebrate all the reasons we have to love our world; a time to think about whatwe can do every day to help create a brighter future, and a brilliant reminder that togetherwe have the power to make change happen.

Last year an amazing 500 UK youth groups took part in the days and weeks leading up themain event. This Earth Hour we’re asking youth groups to focus on all the positive reasons todo something about climate change and challenging you to create special ‘For the love of…‘bunting to send a powerful message to decision-makers as we head towards the next bigclimate change summit and create a visual demonstration of young people’s ‘views duringthe mass government lobby in June.

Together we can make a difference.

Earth Hour 2014 in numbers…

In the UK· Over 9 million people took part

· 1,000 businesses and organisations signed up

· Just a few of the major landmarks that went dark: Big Ben and the Palace ofWestminster, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Wembley Stadium, Edinburgh Castle,The Senedd

Across the globe…· 162 countries

· 7,000 towns and cities

· Major landmarks that went dark: Australia – Sydney Harbour Bridge and OperaHouse, Dubai – Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, South Africa – TableMountain, Greece – The Acropolis in Athens, France – The Eiffel Tower in Paris, Brazil– Christ the Redeemer (statue), Rio de Janeiro, North America – the Empire StateBuilding and Times Square, New York, and the Las Vegas strip.


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‘For the love of…’ – Go bunting crazy for Earth Hour!Earth Hour is a fantastic way of engaging young people and showing global leaders howmuch they care for our beautiful planet. This year, as part of Earth Hour, we have a uniqueopportunity for young people to have their say on one of the most pressing environmentalconcerns – climate change.

On 17 June thousands of people will come together to ask our MPs to commit to takingaction on climate change. It’s one of a number of key moments in the lead up to the next bigUN summit on climate change, scheduled for December 2015 in Paris.

Your group could be involved by helping us create a HUGE string of bunting to make a visualdemonstration of young people’s ‘For the love of…’ reasons to care about climate change! It’ssimple to take part and this support pack will help you every step of the way – see page 6 formore details.

Record breaking!If all the 500 youth groups that are signed up to Earth Hour take part with every membercreating their piece of bunting, we could be looking at a Guinness World-Bunting Record!

Our support to you

As well as the materials to support the bunting challenge, there’s a suite of resources to exciteyour group about Earth Hour and get them thinking about climate change. These resourcesare available on our website wwf.org.uk/eh15youthresources.

We recognise not all groups/group leaders will have access to the technology at their meetingplace to show films, etc but it’s great if they can show the film and/or presentation on alaptop/tablet as this will really help their group members get inspired. We have created PDFversion of the presentation and use the facts at the beginning of this pack if you are unable toaccess any equipment.

· Our One Planet Future film offering a basic introduction to climate change and thework of WWF

· The Earth Hour global film - Password: Earth Hour

· An PowerPoint or PDF introducing Earth Hour and the bunting challenge to yourgroup An activity to help your members prepare for making their bunting, as well asbunting templates

· An activity to explore climate change – its effects and the links to our lives

· Fun and active 60 things to do in the dark ideas for your group.


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‘For the love of…’ – Our special Earth Hour bunting challenge!

What’s it all about

We’re facing the biggest environmental challenge our generation has ever seen – climatechange. No matter what we’re passionate about, something we care about will be affected,from much-loved natural wonders like coral reefs or rainforests to the everyday things welove such as walking in the countryside, watching rugby or even drinking coffee.

But the good news is that Earth Hour gives us an opportunity to shine a light on this globalissue - with millions of people taking part in the UK we can make a real difference. So as weapproach the next big climate change summit in December 2015, we want to celebrate thethings we love about our world but also let politicians and world-leaders know we wantaction. WWF and the Climate Coalition are inviting people to share their own ‘For the loveof…’ messages by creating special Earth Hour bunting which can be displayed to show MPswe want them to commit to tackling climate change.

It’s a critical moment in time: scientists and governments agree that climate change is real –and that human activity is a major cause. It’s not just habitats and species that are beingaffected either; the impacts are already starting to affect us all, from extreme weather andflooding to challenges for food production. 2015 is a key year for decisions that will shape thefuture for our planet, and impact us all, so join us and help your members to be a part of itand make our voices count by joining our bunting challenge!

© Liz Rossall / WWF-UK


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Activity – Let’s send a message

Step 1 – let’s think about the things we love in natureYOU WILL NEED:

· “For the love of…” statement template – one for each member

WHAT TO DO:

1. Explain to members that you want them to think about a special thing they personallyvalue and hold dear about our precious planet and the amazing things we share it with.For example:

· a favourite place, habitat or landscape – perhaps they rave about rainforests, go mistyabout mountains, love the beach or spend hours in the local park

· a favourite thing in nature – do they love their pet rabbit, get tingly over tigers, have asoft spot for a special tree in the garden or the changes of the season or weather?

· something they love doing in nature – they may be cycling crazy, love camping ormaking dens, are wild about walking the dog, or mad about making sand castles.

2. Now ask members what they know about climate change. Explain that we’re very used tohearing all the worrying reasons why we should be concerned about climate change, butthere are other, positive reasons – all the things they’ve identified as being important tothem in nature which could be affected and which they want to safeguard.

3. Hand out the “For the love of…” statement templates (page 8) and read out some of theexamples below. Then explain that you’d like them to create their own illustratedstatement.

“I love climbing trees because you can see everything. For the love of trees, let’s do somethingabout climate change.”

“I like going to the beach and playing in the sand dunes. I play all sorts of games there includinghide and seek and follow the leader. For the love of the beach and sand dunes, let’s do somethingabout climate change.”

“I love seeing wildlife in its natural habitat, with squirrels jumping from tree to tree and bugscrawling over the forest floor. For the love of wildlife, let’s do something about climate change.”

“I like quite a lot of things about nature, however the thing I like the most is growing my ownfruit and vegetables. Appetising, mouth-watering and scrumptious are some of the words I useto describe my fruit and veg. I love growing them and I love eating them. For the love ofgrowing fruit and vegetables, let’s do something about climate change.”

Invite volunteers to share their statements.


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Step 2 – getting creative

YOU WILL NEED:

· Earth Hour assembly PowerPoint available on the websitewwf.org.uk/eh15youthresources.

· old / recycled fabric

· ruler and pencil to create the triangle (19cm horizontal and 29cm vertical), templatefound on the website or page 9.

· scissors and string

· things to personalise bunting, such as; fabric pens, paints, buttons, fabric scraps, glitterand glue

· string (to display your bunting arrangement in the classroom)

· Earth Hour logo stencil for your fabric, to add at the beginning and end of your fabricbunting on the website.

WHAT TO DO:

1. Decorate the bunting triangle with whatever you care about, using the statement ‘For thelove of…. They can even put their first name on if they wish.

2. When everyone has produced their piece of fabric bunting (leaders can get involved too),create this into one long string of bunting with the name of your group at either end,followed by the Earth Hour logo using the stencil.

3. Decorate your meeting place and celebrate with your own Earth Hour lights out event inthe run up to the main event.

4. Don’t forget to encourage your group members to celebrate Earth Hour with their friendsand families on the big night itself.

5. After Earth Hour, send your bunting to us where we will collate oneAMAZING long string of bunting from youth groups and schools right acrossthe UK and display it for all to see in London in June!

Please send all bunting to us at the following address by no later than Friday 24th April

Schools and Youth TeamWWF-UKThe Living Planet CentreRufford HouseBrewery RoadWokingSurrey GU21 4LL

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For the love of…Write a short statement in the box below, on what it is about nature that you love. Finish your statement by completing the sentence we’ve started.Remember to look at the examples if you need help!

For the love of…

Let’s do something about climate change

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Bunting templateThis template is a guide to the size of your triangle bunting. The distance between eachtriangle should be approx. 5cm. This is not to scale.

19cm

29cm

Tab to fold overstring and glue4cm


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Some ideas from leaders on how to celebrate Earth HourTake a look at our list of 60 fun things you can do in the dark or with a climate changetheme.

1. Play some great in the dark games – lantern snatch and 40:40 in, hide and seek or sardines inthe dark.

2. Make a wish upon a star for a brighter future! What would your wish for our brilliant planetbe? Make wish sticks, write your wish on a stick and burn them in a campfire with friends.

3. Tell scary stories under torchlight.4. Paint your face as your favourite animal5. Make a shadow or recycled sock puppet and put on a show.6. Go for a nature walk and see what night-time wildlife you can spot.7. Pull some seriously funny faces (and give it that Earth Hour twist with some torch uplighting).8. Go stargazing – why not teach your group a star constellation (e.g. Orion).9. A cloudy night? Then bring the stars indoors! Try and recreate a starry night inside – get

creative and punch holes in cards to make constellation patterns, shine a torch through thecard and the patterns appear on the ceiling. Hold a constellation quiz to see how many youcan recognise.

10. Hold a candlelit picnic with your friends – you could ask for a small contribution to help raisefunds.

11. Hold a cook out and enjoy camp food with friends.12. A twist on dinner time with a fun indoor picnic13. Share a favourite book or reading with friends.14. Play some old fashioned board-games like scrabble, Pictionary or Cluedo.15. Unplug any appliances that you’re not using and make a fun sticker for your plugs to remind

you to unplug everyday.16. Make an Earth Hour resolution! Pledge one thing to live more sustainably.17. Make a list of 60 fun things to do with friends which do not require electricity.18. Break out the glow sticks and have a mini rave.19. Have a sleepover under the stars – or recreate indoors by toasting marshmallows by

candlelight.20. Write a dazzling message and draw stars with sparklers.21. Make some real hot chocolate with fair trade products.22. Revamp the silent disco and try a blindfolded disco (watch your elbows) – everyone wears

their own earphones and music players – add disco lights and have fun!23. Try a taste session in the dark with some exotic food.24. Write a poem inspired by nature and stars.25. Have a go at light writing or improve your low light photography skills and take snaps of your

candlelit evening, wildlife or the stars and share them with us. No camera? No problem – usea phone or tablet.

26. Make some animal sounds and guess the creature.27. Art in the dark – see what masterpiece you end up with.28. Hold a ‘pub style quiz’ – why not test your animal or wildlife knowledge!29. Go on a night cycle (but be safe).30. Have a candlelit street party under the stars.31. Play truth or dare or if you’re feeling brave…in the dark spin the bottle.32. Make your own lanterns (using old jam jars).33. Have a sensory party – find out who has the best senses by seeing what you can taste,

touch, feel and hear in the dark!


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34. Play wink murder by candlelight.35. Hold a night-time dance class or make up a routine.36. For 18+ – make your favourite cocktails or have a wine tasting night.37. Build a den.38. Go camping under the stars.39. Go on a night hike.40. Go for a moonlit walk along the beach.41. Play UNO or go fish and donate your winnings.42. Dress up in your brightest clothes – fluorescent fancy dress.43. Get your sparkle on and do a twinkly themed party (glitter optional!).44. Hold an onesie party with your friends!45. Listen to an Earth Hour themed Spotify playlist – or make your own playlist with tunes linked

to nature or stars!46. Go for a ghost walk in your local haunted place.47. Make a clock run on potato power!48. Go to your favourite view spot in your town / city to see the switch offs.49. Take our footprint calculator challenge and see how many planets you need to sustain your

current lifestyle.50. Play an instrument in the dark or get together with friends and have an acoustic jam – you

can be the star of the show!51. Get crafting and upcycle something – its fun and you’ll create something you can use!52. Make a shoe box safari about your favourite animal.53. Play communication games in pairs with lego where the aim is to describe and recreate simple

lego model.54. Play murder in the dark.55. Story starters – sit in a circle and start a story and everyone takes a turn.56. Treasure hunt in the dark – find some climate change themed items.57. Make a wind powered vehicle and hold races.58. Plan a ‘day in the life’ where you use no power and still have a great day.59. Make some glow in the dark games – glow bowling with glow sticks in 2 litre bottles of water,

with points for knocking the most over or glow in the dark hoopla with glow rings thrown overa stick.

60. See how many of these activities you can achieve in one evening.

Green Ambassadors 4 YouthFor activities written specifically for youth groups and young people around climatechange, sustainability and the environment look out for our Green Ambassadors 4Youth programme or for species activities look for our ‘Explore’ posters, all free andall available from: www.wwf.org.uk/youth

http://www.wwf.org.uk/youth


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Climate change support activities

Activity sheet 1: Saving energyTo help tackle climate change, it’s really important that we all stop wasting energy. Thisactivity will help to remind you how to do that.

Look at the house below. Circle all the places where you think energy is being wasted. Foreach circle, write down how energy could be saved.


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Pledge activityArmed with their knowledge about how some behaviour can contribute to climate change,young people can create their own pledge to change their behaviour.

Here are a few ideas for pledges your pupils might like to undertake:

· Switching off the television fully not leaving it on standby· Turning the lights off when leaving any room· Walking/cycling or car sharing when travelling to your meetings or even to school· Eating locally produced foods· Growing your own vegetables· Turning off the tap when brushing your teeth.

I pledge to…

___________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

My group pledges to…

__________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________


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Activity 2: Save our homesDraw a line to show which animal from row A lives in which habitat in row B. Once you haveconnected all the animals to the place they live, decide which statement in row C is true foreach animal and draw a line to connect them.

Row A Row B

© Jon Aars / Norwegian Polar Institute /WWF-Canon © Juan Pratginestos / WWF

© Bernard De Wetter / WWF © Martin Harvey / WWF

© Hartmut Jungius / WWF

© Alain Compost / WWF

© Jürgen Freund / WWF © Michel Gunther / WWF

© Global Warming Images / WWF © Shutterstock.com


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ROW C

Higher temperatures mean that the flowersare starting to open before I finishhibernation. By the time I wake up there isno pollen left to eat.

Climate change makes the beaches where Ilay my eggs much warmer. This affects theeggs as they develop and makes it morelikely that they will become females. Thishas serious consequences for me as it takesa long time to reproduce.

Climate change is making more and moreice melt in the Artic. This makes it harderfor me to hunt seals, my favourite food.

The forest where I live used to have lotsof bamboo. Now it is getting much harderto find bamboo as it doesn’t grow in theplaces it used too. Bamboo is all I eat, soI’m starting to go hungry.

Climate change is making the dry seasonlonger. The trees don’t produce as muchfruit as they used to… so there isn’t muchfor me to eat!


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Activity 3: Climate coalition film – Close up on climateThis activity uses One Planet Future film as a stimulus for their video creation. Please see ourwebsite for the list of films below wwf.org.uk/eh15youthresources.

YOU WILL NEED:

· One Planet Future film

· Earth Hour Global film

· Story board template

· Camcorder or iPad or phone

· Props

WHAT TO DO:

1. Watch the film(s).2. Split into small groups.3. Create a story board about climate change.4. Create or gather any props needed.5. Record a 2-3 minute film.6. Play back to the group.

EXTENSION

The Climate Coalition has launched a national film-making project on climate change. Visitthe Climate Coalition website fortheloveof.org.uk/closeup/ for more information.

Top tip!Scouts – Photography Badge requirement.

http://fortheloveof.org.uk/closeup/


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Activity Sheet 1: Storyboard template

___________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ______________________________________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ______________________________________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ______________________________________________________ _____________________________ ____________________________ ___________________________

___________________________ ____________________________ ___________________________ ______________________________________________________ ____________________________ ___________________________ ______________________________________________________ ____________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________

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Spread the word!

This year we want to make Earth Hour bigger than ever – so we need your help! Here aresome ideas to help spread the message about tackling climate change and show off yourmembers’ commitment safeguarding our beautiful planet. The resources listed below can befound on our website wwf.org.uk/eh15youthresources.

Earth Hour postersWhy not download our Earth Hour poster or postcards and display around your meetingplace to remind everyone about the event. Alternatively you could create your own poster.

PressWhy not let local press know about your ‘For the love of…’ bunting to celebrate Earth Hour?Invite them in to hear about Earth Hour and how your group members are doing their bit tohelp reduce climate change. We have created a press template for you to use.

Letters to parentsGet your group members to write letters to their parents/guardians encouraging them totake part in Earth Hour on Saturday 28 March. Families could be encouraged to create theirown bunting.

Take photosMake sure you take plenty of photos of your Earth Hour activities and your group’s meetingplace decorated with your ‘For the love of…’ bunting. We’d love to hear about your EarthHour activities and your ‘For the love of…’ messages. Send your story (and photos) [email protected] and we will feature these on our Earth Hour youth websitewwf.org.uk/ehyouthstories.

Tweet about itIf you or your group is active on Twitter, why not tweet about your group’s involvement inEarth Hour. Don’t forget to use #EarthHourUK and @wwf_uk

mailto:[email protected]

wwf.org.uk/earthhour #EarthHourUK18

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Why we are hereTo stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment andto build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.wwf.org.uk

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