Earth Hour Day is an annual event that has taken place amongst the walls of St Edmunds for one hour, from 9:00 to 10:00 am, as a symbol of our commitment to the planet and to address climate change. The event was organized on Friday the 24th of March for the St Edmund’s boys, the day before the global movement is recognised on the 25th March. Millions of people participate each year by switching off lights and turning off electrical devices in order to reduce our carbon imprint. Earth Hour Day within the walls of St Edmunds is a reminder of the urgent need to take action to protect our planet and ensure a sustainable future for all.
One of the key messages of Earth Hour Day is the importance of looking after our Earth. Our planet is facing numerous environmental challenges, from climate change and pollution to deforestation and loss of biodiversity. These issues are not only threatening the natural world but also human health and well-being. To address these challenges, we collectively took actions at all levels, from individually turning off our phones and devices, to turning off all lights, monitors, switches, and non-essential electric lights as part of a move against climate change. Simple actions such as reducing energy consumption, using public transport, and recycling can make a big difference.
As we reflect on our responsibility to care for the Earth, we also enter a season of reflection and renewal – Easter. This Christian holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which symbolizes the triumph of life over death, hope over despair, and light over darkness. For many people, Easter is a time to reflect on the meaning of life, the values we cherish, and the ways we can make a positive difference in the world. On Wednesday the 5th of April, all college boys will attend the Easter Liturgy to celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ with the aim to appropriate our own present identity more profoundly. Easter reminds us that we are all connected, and our actions have a ripple effect on others and on the environment. As we celebrate the renewal of life, we also need to reflect on our role in preserving and nurturing the life that sustains us all. We need to cultivate a sense of gratitude and responsibility for the natural world and commit to taking action to protect it for future generations.
Earth Hour Day and Easter are two occasions that invite us to reflect on our relationship with the planet and with each other. By turning off our lights for one hour, we demonstrated our solidarity with the global community in addressing climate change. By reflecting on the meaning of Easter, we can renew our commitment to love, compassion, and care for the Earth and others around us. At St Edmund’s, we have used these moments over the past weeks as reflection to inspire us to act and create a more sustainable, just, and enriching environment for ourselves and for others situated around us.
Callum Hicks-
Rice House Captain