What is Earth Hour?

Earth Hour, is a world-wide celebration where millions of people around the world turn off their lights for one hour to tackle the dual challenges facing the planet – climate change and loss of nature. Earth Hour started off as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia, in 2007. It has grown to engage 192 countries and territories to raise awareness for energy consumption and effects on the environment. By turning off non-essential electricity, participants join a global movement to raise awareness and take action for a healthy planet. For more information, please visit Earth Hour Reports.

How to take part?

During Earth Hour, TDSB schools and offices are asked to go as electricity-free as possible for ONE HOUR on March 22nd at 2pm. Wherever possible, our schools and offices will turn off all interior lighting (except necessary emergency lights), any non-essential electronics and powerbars.

In 2011, the TDSB experienced its highest reduction in energy usage (29.9%.) at schools and offices. This year energy reduction will be tracked at each TDSB school, with the top 25 Elementary and Secondary schools getting a shout out! Let’s make this year our biggest energy reduction ever!

Educators and Students:

Earth Hour presents a great opportunity to raise awareness about environmental issues and run campaigns focused on energy conservation and climate change. Its sharp focus allows you to undertake as little or as much awareness and action building as your school is ready for. The TDSB Earth Hour poster/checklist can serve as an organizing tool for classroom or school-wide endeavours:

• Download 8.5 x 14 B&W
• Download 8.5 x 14 Colour

Community:

This Earth Hour on March 23rd, millions around the world will be turning off the lights and speaking up why nature matters. Families and community members can participate from 8:30 to 9:30 pm. Consider registering your actions or event at the Global Earth Hour website.

Connect with us

Share your #TDSBEarthHour actions with @EcoSchoolsTDSB. Tell us if your school is already going beyond Earth Hour itself! Do students take an active role in organizing the campaign? Inspire and challenge other schools across the city.

2024 Results!

Shout out to Indian Road Cres. JPS & Dr. Norman Bethune CI for the top spots - two years running!

Our TDSB Energy and Climate Action team have the tools to track energy use at each of our schools. They compare the Earth Hour usage to the same time one week earlier, and come up with the percent saved. Overall, Elementary schools are pulling off much better results than Secondary - and some High Schools actually used more electricty than the week before! We hope all schools continue throughout the year to reduce energy consumption.

	Elementary	% Saved	Secondary	% Saved
1	INDIAN ROAD CRESCENT JR PS	60%	DR. NORMAN BETHUNE CI	47%
2	SPRUCECOURT PS	57%	AGINCOURT CI	19%
3	F.H. MILLER JR. PS	55%	FOREST HILL CI	16%
4	MORSE STREET PS	48%	WEST HILL CI	16%
5	ORIOLE PARK PS	48%	NORTH TORONTO CI	13%
6	WEST GLEN JS	48%	SATEC at WA PORTER CI	8%
7	PAULINE JOHNSON JR PS	47%	HARBORD CI	7%
8	BRIARCREST JS	45%	THISTLETOWN CI	5%
9	NORMAN COOK JR PS	45%	NORTHVIEW HEIGHTS SS	3%
10	IROQUOIS JR PS	44%	JARVIS CI	2%
11	HIGHCASTLE PS	44%	CEDARBRAE CI	1%
12	CEDARVALE CS	43%	MARC GARNEAU CI	0%
13	CHARLOTTETOWN JR PS	42%	GEORGE HARVEY CI	0%
14	NORTH PREPARATORY PS	41%	SIR OLIVER MOWAT CI	0%
15	RUNNYMEDE JR and SR PS	41%	SIR WILFRID LAURIER CI	0%
16	LORD ROBERTS JR PS	41%	L'AMOREAUX CI	0%
17	WOBURN JR PS	40%	EARL HAIG SS	0%
18	CALICO PS	40%	CENTRAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL	0%
19	SUNNYLEA JS	36%	MARTINGROVE CI	0%
20	CAMERON PS	36%	HEYDON PARK SS	-2%
21	O'CONNOR PS	36%	EMERY CI	-2%
22	BERNER TRAIL JR PS	36%	LAWRENCE PARK CI	-4%
23	DUNLACE PS	35%	SILVERTHORN CI	-5%
24	VALLEY PARK MS	35%	ALBERT CAMPBELL CI	-5%
25	IONVIEW PS	35%	WESTON CI	-6%