On the island, organizations, individuals, schools all convened at the Boca del Rio Park where a candle lit ceremony was set to start from. With candles in hand, and with the marching band leading the way, participants walked down to town and into the Old Football Field. There, they arrived in time for the 8:30 p.m. scheduled time to turn off the lights. Businesses, restaurants in particular, honored the event and chose to turn off their lights for the one hour. Offering a romantic setting, Carambas, Elvis Kitchen, Waruguma and Lola’s had candles strategically placed throughout their dining area.

    At the Football Field, much entertainment was available for those in attendance. Games such as balloon toss and lime and spoon were complimented by a fun bonfire to roast marshmallows and talks on Global Warming.

    In Belize City, a lively group of people celebrated Earth Hour with a bonfire, made smores, told and listen to folktales, quized each other and danced in the dark. Earth Hour helps to bring attention to climate change, and while mitigation is the core message of the event, the implications of climate change on Belize are closely related to coping with extreme weather events, food security and economic challenges. It serves to unite people and countries, on a global level, around the common goal to find solutions to climate change, and reduce carbon emissions.

    Commenced in 2007 as a collaborative agreement between Sydney, Australia and the World Wildlife Fund, and since 2008 it has become a global movement, Earth Hour offers the opportunity for a global environmental action to voice our collective concern about climate change. In 2008, more than 50 million people around the globe participated. In 2009, Earth Hour reach out to 1 billion people in 1,000 cities.