Eng. Hazem El-Ashmouny, Sharkia Governor, confirmed that Sharkia Governorate participated in Earth Hour by turning off lights at service directorates, city center buildings, public facilities, and factories from 8:30 to 9:30 PM on Saturday, March 22. He highlighted the governorate's pioneering role in environmental conservation, aiming to raise awareness of the dangers of excessive energy consumption and its negative impacts on the planet, including its role in climate change and global warming. He also encouraged positive behaviors aimed at preserving the environment and planet to ensure a sustainable future. He noted that the event is a symbol of "unity and hope," as the primary goal of turning off the lights is to unite people in the mission of protecting the planet. For his part, Dr. Magdy El Hosary, Director General of the Regional Branch of the Environmental Affairs Agency in Sharkia and Ismailia, explained that this year's Earth Hour event was organized under the slogan "Together Towards the Largest Earth Hour," with the aim of conserving energy, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, which cause global warming, and protecting the planet from climate change. It is worth noting that the global Earth Hour initiative was launched in Sydney, Australia, in 2007. It is the oldest means of raising awareness about rationalizing energy consumption and the oldest global environmental event. The reason for choosing the date of the event is that it falls on the last Saturday of March each year, close to the vernal equinox, when day and night are equal. This is to ensure that most cities around the world participate at a similar time of night, as Earth Hour moves across time zones.