EARTH HOUR FAQs. 1. What is Earth Hour?

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1 1. What is Earth Hour? Earth Hour is an annual international lights- out event organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). This year, Earth Hour is happening on Saturday, March 23 between 8:30 PM 9:30 PM. Earth Hour asks individuals, businesses and governments around the world to turn off their lights for one hour to raise awareness about the need for urgent climate change action. Earth Hour is a global movement that envisions a greener, cleaner world where: Renewable energy outweighs fossil fuels Economic needs are balanced with ecological needs We can all have access to fresh air, clean drinking water and natural resources no matter where you live Urgent action on climate change is a priority for individuals, governments and companies The health of our planet is ensured now and for generations to come 2. How will Earth Hour help? Last year, over 13 million Canadians turned off their lights for Earth Hour in a show of concern to the government. This demonstrates that people are taking personal action and that they expect the same level of commitment from government. We see support in hundreds of communities, businesses and cities across the country, where individuals use the hour to reflect on how they can contribute, through their own commitments, to a better planet. WWF, through its collaborative process, provides tailored programs that enable people to make these commitments beyond the hour. Dialogue and buzz around our new and renewed commitments reminds Canadians that Earth Hour plays an important role as a catalyst for change. 3. Why should I participate? Put simply, because our future depends on it! There are a multitude of things that too often divide people: gender, nationality, race, political and religious beliefs to name a few. But when it comes to fighting climate change, it doesn t matter who we are or where we re from we re all on the same team. That s important to understand. To combat an issue as big as climate change, the planet needs us all. And the more people that work together, the more achievable that daunting task will become. Earth Hour has done a lot to raise awareness of climate change and the need to do more. It s not just about switching off lights for one hour once a year. It s all about giving people a voice and working together to create a better future for our planet. It has ushered in a new era with participants going beyond the hour to commit to lasting action for the planet. Without a doubt, it s shown how great things can be achieved when people come together for a common cause.

2 4. Who can participate and how? Everyone is encouraged to participate individuals, communities, businesses, schools, and government. All you have to do is: Pledge to join Team Earth Hour by turning off your lights on Saturday March 23 between 8:30 PM 9:30 PM. Visit wwf.ca/earthhour to sign- up! Download posters from our site to help spread the word in your city, school or office. Check out our exclusive Team Earth Hour Playbooks on wwf.ca/earthhour, filled with fun ways to celebrate Earth Hour and fight climate change all year round. 5. How can schools participate? Schools can pledge their support online, and we encourage all schools to hold symbolic Earth Hour events in classrooms on Friday, March 22 the day before Earth Hour. There are downloadable materials available on our website to inspire unique ideas. Use our Official Team Earth Hour Playbooks and posters to inspire! 6. What does Earth Hour mean for businesses? Earth Hour is not about telling companies how to conduct business. Rather it is about collective action and an opportunity for businesses to take action on climate change. We are encouraging businesses to turn off their exterior lights, including signs, as well as internal lights (excluding lighting for safety), and to ask their employees and customers to participate. Participating in WWF s Earth Hour is a simple way to show your employees and customers that you want to be a part of the solution, and it sends a powerful message to your community: together we can make a difference. 7. What can I do to celebrate for the one hour? Please visit our website and download our Official Team Earth Hour Playbooks. Also, here are some additional ideas on how to spend your Earth Hour: Host a party. Earth Hour is a great chance to spend time with your family, friends and neighbours. You can host a gathering in the dark. Encourage guests to bring non- cook foods and eat dinner by candlelight. Pull out your favourite board games or have a poker tournament. Kids will love a chance to play with glow sticks or glow- in- the- dark stickers. Play hockey. Encourage your local community centre to hold a dimly- lit hockey game during Earth Hour. Hot chocolate in reusable mugs will keep players and their cheering sections warm. Plan a community event. Whether it s a ghost walk around a local historical centre, a block party featuring acoustic music or a guided star- gazing tour, show your creativity and bring your friends together to enjoy the night. Ask local businesses to join. Maybe your favourite restaurant could hold a candlelit dinner or your local yoga studio could host a yoga- in- the- dark event. Many businesses want to show their support for the Earth. 8. Is Earth Hour about energy conservation?

3 No. WWF s Earth Hour is a symbolic demonstration of commitment for action against climate change. It s not about the energy savings of one night. For us, it s a bit like an Environmental New Year, providing a chance to reflect on how our planet is faring and what we can do to help. The moment of reflection for the one hour fosters dialogue around the issues, creates a sense of community and ignites change. 9. When and where did Earth Hour begin? WWF- Australia created Earth Hour in 2007, when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating. Global landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour. In 2011 Earth Hour reached over 1.8 billion people in 135 countries across all seven continents. 10. How will WWF measure success? WWF would like to see the continued support of the hundreds of communities, businesses and cities across the country. Not only on the night of Earth Hour, but to make a real commitment to climate action and take considerable steps to reducing their impact on the planet beyond Saturday March 23rd. 11. Is Earth Hour an annual event? Yes, because solving the problem of climate change requires a long- term commitment. Earth Hour is about raising our collective voice, but it's also a bit like an environmental New Year, providing a chance to reflect on how our planet is faring and what we can do to help. That moment of reflection is the heart of Earth Hour. For us at WWF, Earth Hour is a unique opportunity to facilitate these reflections for a phenomenal number of people around the world. Our key role is to convene the right people to tackle big challenges at the right time, present them with the evidence and have faith that they will make the right decisions. 12. What has Earth Hour accomplished? In 2007, 2 million people turned out their lights in Sydney, Australia, for the first Earth Hour. This March 23, 2013, Earth Hour is expected to reach billions of people in more than 140 countries to symbolically mark their commitment to stop climate change which is happening even faster than predicted. This phenomenal growth in participation symbolizes a global will to make positive changes for our planet. But climate change action is a message of urgency. Canada is not taken enough action to address this growing concern. So what has been done?

4 While we still have a long way to go, we are seeing some commitments that give us reason to celebrate this Earth Hour. They include: 1. The federal government has committed, as part of the G20, to phase out fossil fuel subsidies. 2. B.C. has introduced a revenue- neutral carbon tax. 3. New Brunswick set a target of 10 per cent renewable energy by Quebec introduced a Fuel Tax to encourage gas conservation. 5. The Ontario government passed the Green Energy Act, and is on pace to close all coal- fired electrical plants by Vancouver has committed to becoming the greenest city in the world by 2020, and is on track to reduce emissions six per cent below 1990 levels. 7. Despite the recession, polls show Canadians are as strongly or more strongly committed to action on climate change than ever before. 8. The federal government committed $400 million to support a global fund to help developing countries fight climate change. 9. Electric vehicles from all major auto manufacturers will be available in Canadian showrooms this fall. 10. All countries in the global Copenhagen Accord have acknowledged that global temperature increases must be kept below 2 degrees Celsius to avoid the worst affects of climate change. 13. How many people took part in Earth Hour last year? Over 13 million adult Canadians participated in 511 cities and municipalities across Canada. Globally, Earth Hour 2012 took place in more than 7000 cities and towns in 152 countries and territories across all seven continents. Hundreds of millions of people switched their lights off for an hour, and the campaign experienced its biggest growth since Will I be obligated to turn out my lights in this fashion every day? Our goal is to have Earth Hour be your platform for future behavior change. Simple steps in your lifestyle can make a big impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions the biggest contributor to climate change. Our hope is that Earth Hour will inspire people to keep taking this type of action every day. For businesses, WWF has created a program called Living Work which harnesses the collective power of individuals in the workplace to tackle the greatest conservation challenges of our generation. We provide the strategic guidance, green business ideas, free tools and support that empower companies to rethink their operations and find greener ways of doing business. By inspiring individuals, we're not just driving more sustainable business practices; we're creating environmental advocates who will lead a wave of environmental change at work as well as in their homes, schools and communities. Please visit our website to learn more: Is switching off the lights dangerous? No. It is no different than switching off your lights each night and then switching them back each day. Hydro companies are also prepared for the drop in energy use.

5 16. Are there public safety concerns with Earth Hour? We are only asking people to turn off non- essential lights for Earth Hour no lights that affect public safety will or should be turned off. All emergency services are also aware that Earth Hour is happening. 17. Will street lights remain on? Yes. Earth Hour is to be celebrated in a safe and secure environment. Streetlights or lights in public spaces, hospitals and emergency services will remain on. Traffic conditions will remain unchanged as well. Only non- essential lighting will be switched off during Earth Hour. 18. Will there be any events this year during Earth Hour? Yes, there will be many events taking place across the country. WWF- Canada will be hosting an event in Toronto Roncesvalles Village. Starting at 8:00 pm on Saturday March 23rd, Torontonians can enjoy a free outdoor concert and can share their message for the planet with thousands of others. Enjoy great entertainment and activities and be a part of the global movement! 19. Who is this event for? This is a public event and all are welcomed. The more the merrier! 20. How green will this event be? WWF- Canada has taken every step to ensure the event is as environmentally responsible as possible. This event will be entirely powered by green electricity provided by Bullfrog Power. Additionally, most of the lights that will be used at the event will be energy efficient LED lights. 21. Are a lot of resources being used to promote this event? Earth Hour s goal is to maintain a low carbon footprint in the execution of the event. We are taking all the appropriate steps to ensure we leave as little impact as possible and are encouraging others to do the same in the creation of their own events. 22. How can I support climate change solutions such as clean energy? Not only is Earth Hour your chance to be part of a global phenomenon, it s a great opportunity to look at what you can do reduce your carbon emissions. For example, you can: Use less energy every day by turning off your computer monitor when you leave your desk and unplugging the chargers for your cell phones and other devices when you re not using them Use energy more efficiently in your home by washing your clothes in cold water and replace your fridge with an Energy Star model when it s time for a new one Use renewable energy to meet your household needs, like installing a solar water heating system or switching to a green power supplier

6 23. How can I find out more? Visit wwf.ca/earthhour or e- mail us at: EarthHour@wwfcanada.org