Vanuatu is Our Wake Up Call: Reminding Us to Commit to Earth Hour
by Sangeeta Haindl
Vanuatu is in urgent need after Cyclone Pam tore through the country on the weekend of March 14-15. President Baldwin Lonsdale said the storm had "wiped out" all development of recent years and his country would have to rebuild "everything.” Aid agencies believe it could be one of the worst disasters ever to hit the region. This is a vast archipelago; the population is spread over more than 60 islands and it is difficult for the authorities to have a true picture of the devastation. However, it's clear the number of dead will increase when communications are made with the outlying area. Critically though, the President has stated that climate change had contributed to the disaster, saying his country had seen changing weather patterns, rising seas and heavier-than-average rain.
Vanuatu is a very timely story as the countdown to World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Earth Hour begins, where nations, cities, companies and individuals prepare to take part in the world’s largest grassroots movement to draw attention to the need for bold climate action. This year, on 28 March from 8.30pm to 9.30pm local time, millions of people across the world will switch off their lights. This is an action that is more than a commitment to the planet: it signifies a global call to action to change climate change. As world leaders prepare for this year’s United Nation’s climate talks, Earth Hour comes at a critical point to ignite climate action conversations on a local level. Now, more than ever, individual and local actions are needed to reduce the global impact on the planet.
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Photo Credit: WWF Earth Hour
Sangeeta Haindl writes on social innovation, social enterprise, and social entrepreneurs. She is the owner of Serendipity PR, in London, U.K., where she works with high-profile brands and organizations in the public, non-profit, and corporate sectors, winning awards for her work from the communications industry. She describes herself as a Spiritual Entrepreneur, Conscious Explorer, and Futurist. She enjoys helping others, paying it forward, and being a mum.
