WWF Tanzania gears up to create the Biggest Hour for Earth

Posted on 25 March 2024

Every year, a number of international and national commemorations are undertaken to save the planet from the ongoing human on slaughter that is extirpating biodiversity loss and extinctions and threatening human livelihoods and general wellbeing. However, despite increased education and awareness creation, these anthropogenic threats to nature continue raising a number of questions for critical interrogation, for instance, are we using the right messaging to influence behaviour change? Are we really monitoring the impact of these commemorations towards bending the curve or they are just one-off celebrations to tick the box? How can 2024 commemorations be done differently for positive impact?, Since 2007, WWF has been commemorating Earth Hour (EH), traditionally known for the “lights off” moment, to show symbolic support for protecting planet. Earth Hour event elucidate excitements from across the globe with partners and well wishers switching off the lights. Over the years other different approaches have been taken on board including tree planting and vibrant advocacy.

About the Earth Hour
Every year, a number of international and national commemorations are undertaken to save the planet from the ongoing human on slaughter that is extirpating biodiversity loss and extinctions and threatening human livelihoods and general wellbeing. However, despite increased education and awareness creation, these anthropogenic threats to nature continue raising a number of questions for critical interrogation, for instance, are we using the right messaging to influence behaviour change? Are we really monitoring the impact of these commemorations towards bending the curve or they are just one-off celebrations to tick the box? How can 2024 commemorations be done differently for positive impact?, Since 2007, WWF has been commemorating Earth Hour (EH), traditionally known for the “lights off” moment, to show symbolic support for protecting planet. Earth Hour event elucidate excitements from across the globe with partners and well wishers switching off the lights. Over the years other different approaches have been taken on board including tree planting and vibrant advocacy.

For more than 15 years now, we are at a tipping point with our climate and nature crises, putting at risk the fate of our one home – The Planet. The 1.5°C global temperature increase limit by 2030 set by the Paris Climate Agreement is not on course – and obviously EH alone cannot bring change to this but require myriad of approaches to contain this unprecedented rate of climate change crisis. We have to stay under the 1.5°C climate threshold to avoid irreversible damage to our planet, and reverse nature loss for the recovery of biodiversity. There is need for inclusive conservation to make this happen by bringing individuals, communities, businesses, governments and international community to urgently step up their concerted efforts to protect and restore our planet and its biodiversity.

This year, WWF Tanzania joins more than 190 countries around the world to give an Hour for Earth to protect our planet – to create the Biggest Hour for Earth. It calls upon its supporters across the globe to switch off their lights by giving an hour for Earth - this year’s theme. At least spend only 60 minutes of their busy schedule to do something positive for the planet. WWF Tanzania is rallying the ‘power of the people’ to turn a single EH into thousands and eventually millions of hours of action and awareness, using mainly media among other approaches to derive the impact. Nonetheless, the Biggest Hour for Earth remains a precious moment of unity, reminding the world that our Mother Nature needs our help and we all must play an active role in protecting it.

Earth Hour commemoration in Tanzania coincides with the International Day of Forests (IDF) under the theme ‘Forests and Innovation’. Through innovative actions towards tackling the effects of climate change and bending, the nature loss curve will be improved immensely. Innovation is increasingly becoming a game changer in natural resource management, improving the ability to track data, through satellite and drone images – remote sensing and Artificial Intelligence. However, accessibility to the innovations remains a challenge especially in developing countries Forests play a critical role in moderating climate change and hence the two events have a similar goal of safeguarding mother nature and saving our planet.

Tanzania is fourth is terms of forest size in Africa but is experiencing the highest forest deforestation and degradation in Africa. Approximately, 469,429 hectares of forest is lost annually due to human activities including high demand for cooking energy and agricultural conversions. Over 90% of people in Tanzania use charcoal and firewood for cooking putting pressure on forests and other woodlands of which 65% is firewood, 26.2% is charcoal and 8.8% is kerosene, gas, biogas, solar power, main grid electricity among other sources. In the villages, women are using over 22 hours per week to look for firewood and hence have limited time to invest in other more productive ventures. According to Tanzania health and pollution action plan, 2019, approximately 33,024 people die due to smoke from charcoal and firewood. People without access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa, 2000-2021 spread to 49% of the population in 2022, up from 33% in 2010. While this sounds like good news, the consumption tells a different story. Per capita electricity use still averages only 124 kilowatt-hours per year, enough to power just three lightbulbs for about a month. Despite growing access to power, many Africans simply can’t afford to use it. Hence, the tree planting campaign during EH goes towards increasing the tree cover in Tanzania and offset the stated annual loss.

This year, Earth Hour commemoration by WWF Tanzania will be undertaken in all the three landscapes (i.e. Ruvuma, Water Towers and SOKNOT) and one seascape (i.e. RUMAKI Plus) to make it more impactful. Some of the activities include: planting more than 10,000 trees in schools and public areas in Kisarawe, Longido, Rombo and Butiama districts; raising awareness on the need to protect and restore our forests; discussions on innovative approaches in forest and wildlife conservation and management; raising awareness and visibility of the New Earth Hour brand and message; and, raising awareness on the need to keep the ocean safe from plastics. The target groups include youth across the country, Vice Presidents Office, Tanzania Forest Service (TFS), corporates and partners. Local Government Authorities, schools and universities and local community members, among others.

Messaging for International Day of Forests and Earth Hour 2024
The message for International Day of Forests (IDF) and Earth Hour 2024 focuses on three critical areas namely: natural resources restoration and protection, removing plastics from nature and innovation for forest management with two key messages - Join the Big Hour for Earth and Innovation for forest management. It is hoped that these messaging will change people’s attitudes and perceptions towards protecting the natural resources (forest, ocean, wildlife) by taking action towards altering their loss and influencing key policies. The call-to-action is: Our Future is in Our Hands and Action begins now. The social media Hashtags are: #Innovationforforestrestoration #Jointhebiggesthourforearth #and #EarthHour. Effective communication is powerful tool to influence change. Therefore, both internal and external — mainstream traditional and new media are key towards fulfilling the mission and achieving the set objectives of mobilizing every Tom, Dick and Hurry, organizations and the government to unite towards saving the Planet.
WWF Tanzania, hence, is employing a number of tools and platforms available to ensure consistent and visible external communications and will work towards timely and effective coordination and syncing, not only between platforms but also with field offices using: traditional media — radio, television, newspapers; online media — the youth-oriented media that focuses on making content readable, shareable and likable, for example Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube as well as social media channels of WWF teams on workplace; The Earth Hour blog - the space on the Earth Hour website to share in-house articles as well as the voices of experts on biodiversity and nature loss; Earth Hour Website (Donate Your Hour) – for people share their stories on biodiversity and what their actions to mitigate its loss as well as speaking to their political leaders for policy influence; and, assets (videos and images) to be compiled for sharing with the network communicators (Earth Hour team) for use in the network report and video.

WWF Tanzania is keen, this time round, to make Earth hour memorable and the loudest conservation movement that will create the desired positive impact starting with one month pre-Earth Hour period to build and reinforce the momentum for the campaign. The lined-up activities to be undertaken before and during the International Day Forests and Earth Hour include:

Essay and drawing competitions on nature in schools - Ruvuma landscape engaging young people (in 4 schools) to build their understanding and knowledge in conservation of natural resources and the 12 top winners will have the opportunity to visit a game reserve or a national park.
Innovative Restoration and a movie night – planting more than 5,000 trees along the Msimbazi River and in schools in Kisarawe District in collaboration with Tanzania Breweries Limited (ABInBev), Celebrity Mwasiti Almas – WWF Tanzania Ambassador (Black butterfly) and Kisarawe District Council. Mwasiti will also serve as an influencer and Ambassador for Earth Hour 2024. Youth will have a night out experience in Pugu Forest Reserve, to engage in discussions on innovation in forest conservation, share their experience and watch environmental motivational movies from Our Planet series among others.
No Plastic in Our Ocean – RUMAKI Plus seascape has lined up beach cleaning and entertainment activities (beach volleyball, soccer etc.) by stakeholders and community members. A fish bin sculpture made of plastics will be erected strategically along the beach and will be unveiled during the Earth Hour week to raise awareness on safeguarding the ocean from plastic pollution. Our planet faces a daily flood of plastic pollution, with shocking amounts entering our environment. Over a dump truck of trash flows into oceans every minute, posing severe threats to our communities, health, and environment. WWF Team is pushing to enact strong policies to transform how we produce, recycle, and dispose of plastic to mitigate its harmful impacts on the planet through change of the
legislation.
Taking Earth Hour to the highest point in Africa – SOKNOT Unganisha landscape – the ‘Rooftop of Africa’ has two activities. First, a courageous move by five WWF staff to climb Mt Kilimanjaro and hoist three flags namely Earth Hour flag, WWF flag and BMZ flag (donor) at the highest peak (19,240 ft) aimed at raising the red flag about the receding snow on Mt Kilimanjaro by almost 80% due to global warming that is negatively impacting on people, livestock and wildlife in the adjacent areas and WWF’s call for action. In collaboration with Mount Kilimanjaro Porters Society, Our Porter Friends, Ahsante Tours Co. Ltd, this unique approach will raise Earth Hour publicity and also an opportunity for WWF Tanzania to be considered in the global Earth Hour content. The team made it successfully to the ‘Rooftop of Africa’ after a six days trek to and from the mountain peak between 9^th and 14^th March, 2024 and was shared on Instagram social media platform.

Secondly, 5,000 trees to be planted in Rombo District in the River Ungwasi catchment in collaboration with Tigo Co. Ltd, a communications company or 1,000 trees in Longido District, to restore Ketumbeine forest reserve, one of the three catchments in Lake Natron Ecosystem in collaboration with Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA) - Malihai clubs, Local Government Authority and community members. Lastly, 1,000 trees to be planted in the Serengeti ecosystem with partners and stakeholders.

Commemoration of International Day of Forests, on 21^st March, 2024 - WWF Tanzania will join the national commemoration event hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism in Same District to create more awareness among communities on the importance of protecting and conserving the forest.

During this important period WWF staff and partners are encouraged to adopt the IDF and Earth Hour email signatures, tell their stories and Pledge for the Planet by committing to dedicate their ‘one hour’ for the earth and encouraging young people in schools to write stories and drawing pictures telling their connection to earth and the kind of a future they want. As such, we call upon our supporters to join the campaign through influencer or engagement activities and pitching stories with different media channels, various platforms, Earth Hour blogs and promoting a pledge for nature on the TCO’s website.

At the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro