This year Earth Hour – Saturday 23rd March 8.30pm – is supporting solar power with their new slogan, “Switch for good this Earth Hour and switch to renewable energy.” According to research, 87% of Aussies want more action to be taken in order for Australia to be in the top ten producers of renewable energies.

Earth hour is encouraging people to pledge their support for renewable energies. According to their website, currently almost 4000 people have done so already. Their goal is to get to 10 000. Thanks to the support of the Australian people, Earth Hour has been embraced by the world. In fact, it is the largest global movement for the environment.

Earth Hour spokesperson Kellie Caught said, “We expect to see solar energy continue to boom at the household level. Within months we will have more than one million solar rooftops, and this polling shows that a further 1.5 million households would also consider joining them.”

“For every million households that switch to renewables that’s equivalent to taking 2.1 million cars off our roads or planting over 6 million trees.”

According to WWF, a new national survey released yesterday by AMR Research shows that 87% of Australians want more action by all sectors, including government, to make Australia a top ten producer of renewable energy. Currently, Australia is rated number 31.

The survey spoke to 1283 Australians and found the following:

1. Up-front payments for solar power deter customers – interest free and zero dollars upfront terms are available at most solar companies now.

2. 850 000 Australian households already have solar power installed!

3. Two thirds of people thought Australia would be ranked higher than 31 in the production of renewable energy.

With Australian’s positive about renewable energy, Earth Hour is pushing for our politicians to be as well. Globally, renewables need politicians to support the industry and help utility companies adapt and evolve. The survey showed that people believe renewable energy should account for 27% of our energy mix by 2020 – not the current 20%. Earth Hour representatives hope politicians will take note, become more positive, support renewables and increase our reliance on renewable energy sources therefore increasing our target to 27% or preferably, 50%.

So switch your lights off this Earth Hour, Saturday 23rd March 2013 at 8.30pm, and pledge to switch for good and switch to renewable energy.