1. Overview: Earth Hour in NRW on 28 March 2026
On Saturday, 28 March 2026, many cities across North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) will join the global Earth Hour initiative for the 20th time since it began in 2007. Between 20:30 and 21:30 local time residents, businesses and public institutions are asked to switch off non-essential lights to draw attention to climate protection and resource conservation. The event is both symbolic and practical: it raises awareness about the urgency of climate action and highlights local contributions to a global effort that includes roughly 7,000 cities in 190 countries.
Earth Hour in NRW is a visible, community-focused moment to pause, reflect and show support for measures that reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Turning lights out for one hour is a simple, inclusive action that signals solidarity with climate-friendly behaviors.
2. What cities in NRW are doing
Across NRW, municipalities are coordinating which buildings and public landmarks will go dark and are encouraging citizens to take part at home. Each city highlights local sites to make the event visible and meaningful for residents.
Duisburg
Duisburg will switch off lighting at several prominent sites, including the city hall, the Salvatorkirche, the Stadtwerketurm, parts of the Landschaftspark Nord and at the Kraftwerk Wanheimerort. Residents are encouraged to participate privately and to experience the shared hour of darkness as a community gesture for climate protection.
Oberhausen
Oberhausen will darken landmarks such as the Solarpyramid, the evo logo, the glass façade of the main administration building, the Gasometer and several town halls. The city extends the activity into an ‘Earth Weekend’ in cooperation with the local water management authority, keeping lights off at the pump station and the Slinky Bridge through Sunday to strengthen the message across more than one night.
Bergisch Gladbach
Bergisch Gladbach promotes the event under the motto ‘We switch it off!’ and asks citizens to turn off lights at home. The city also offers free energy consultations at its town halls—services that have proven popular and have filled up quickly in the past.
Essen
Essen will darken a number of cultural and civic sites, including the city hall, Museum Folkwang, the exhibition center, the adult education center, the Old Synagogue, the IME facility and areas of the Grugapark. Local organizers emphasize solidarity and hope in the face of the climate crisis and encourage people to register online to take part in related activities.
Moers and the Lower Rhine
Moers joins cities and companies across the region in switching off lights for one hour. In the Lower Rhine area the simple message is clear: ‘Lights out for the climate’—a general call for residents and organizations to participate and show support for climate protection.
3. How to take part — simple steps for individuals and groups
Participating in Earth Hour is easy and can be adapted to households, communities and businesses. The main idea is to switch off non-essential lighting for the designated hour and use that time to reflect or take climate-friendly actions.
- Turn off non-essential lights from 20:30 to 21:30 on 28 March 2026.
- Unplug or switch off appliances that are not needed for safety or medical reasons.
- Use the hour for a candlelit dinner, a neighborhood meet-up, a short walk or a discussion about local climate actions.
- Consider signing up for local energy advice sessions if available—for example, free consultations offered by some town halls.
- Share your participation with neighbors and encourage safe, inclusive involvement across ages and needs.
Businesses and institutions can dim or turn off decorative and non-essential lighting, reduce display lights, and communicate their participation to customers and staff to amplify the message.
4. The meaning and impact of the event
Earth Hour is primarily a symbolic act that raises public awareness for climate protection and energy conservation. By participating together, communities visually demonstrate their concern for the climate and their willingness to support policies and practices that reduce emissions and save resources.
While the direct energy savings from one hour are limited, the real value lies in awareness-building, conversations, and local actions that can follow. The event also highlights local projects, municipal energy programs and offers moments for people to learn about practical steps to lower household and organizational energy use.
5. Practical reminders and a hopeful message
Remember to keep safety and accessibility in mind: leave essential lighting and medical equipment powered, use safe candles or battery lamps, and help neighbors who may need assistance. Earth Hour is an opportunity to show solidarity and to start small changes that add up over time.
Municipal actions across NRW—from Duisburg and Oberhausen to Bergisch Gladbach, Essen, Moers and the Lower Rhine—show how local measures can join a global movement. Participating, learning and acting together sends a clear message: communities are ready to protect the climate and conserve resources. Take part, invite others, and use this hour as a starting point for ongoing climate-friendly choices.
