# Blackouts in Unision Earth Hour 2008 was the largest voluntary electric power-down in history. By [Bianca](https://www.trendhunter.com/bianca), Brand & Innovation Strategist | Published Sep 14, 2008, updated Nov 19, 2009 | Category: [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/environmental-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/blackouts-in-unision-earth-hour-2008-was-the-largest-voluntary-electric-pow ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.0/10 - Evidence articles: 9 ## What is the Blackouts in Unision trend? **Blackouts in Unision:** On March 29, 2008, over 50 million people voluntarily shut off their lights for 60 minutes. The WWF **Earth Hour** initiative had participants in 370 cities in 25 countries turn off all electronics as a collaborative visual statement to express the care people share for the planet. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 9 featured examples - Articles from: Feb 1 to Mar 29, 2008 - Published: Sep 14, 2008 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence) - Megatrends: [Naturality](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/naturality), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Blackouts in Unision trend ### Global Participation in Earth Hour 2008 Earth Hour 2008 was the largest voluntary electric power-down in history with over 50 million people voluntarily shutting off their lights for 60 minutes in 370 cities in 25 countries, indicating a growing global awareness of the importance of environmentalism. ### Corporate Participation in Earth Hour 2008 Major corporations such as Fairmont Royal York Hotel and McDonald's joined in Earth Hour 2008 to demonstrate their corporate responsibility and commitment to environmentalism, creating potential disruptive innovation opportunities in sustainable business practices. ### Youth-Led Earth Hour Participation Students in Maxwell Secondary School in Malaysia were inspired by the Earth Hour message and started spreading the awareness in their community and school, indicating a growing youth-led movement for environmentalism and potential disruptive innovation opportunities in sustainable education. ## What the Blackouts in Unision trend means for industry ### For Hospitality Participation by hotels such as Fairmont Royal York Hotel and restaurants serves as an opportunity for the hospitality industry to implement sustainable business practices and attract environmentally-conscious customers. ### For Corporate Social Responsibility Earth Hour 2008 serves as a global event that encourages major corporations to publicly demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility and sustainability. ### For Education Youth-led participation in Earth Hour 2008 highlights the importance of sustainable education and potentially disruptive innovations in sustainable education practices. ## Trend signals for Blackouts in Unision Trend score 3.0 out of 10, from popularity 57%, activity 27%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 57% - Activity: 27% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Blackouts in Unision trend 9 featured examples from Feb 1 to Mar 29, 2008. - [Earth Hour 2008](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earth-hour-2008-malaysia): Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Guerrilla School Story) (Category: Eco) Implication: Opportunities for businesses to develop eco-friendly products or services that support individual and community efforts to protect the environment. - [World Shuts Light Off for the Environment](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plunge-into-darkness-earth-hour): Earth Hour (Category: Eco) Implication: The push for sustainable energy consumption during Earth Hour highlights the need for innovative energy management solutions in various industries, such as residential, commercial… - [Earth Hour 2008](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earth-hour-major-cities-in-the-us-go-dark): Times Square Shuts off Billboards (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The energy industry has opportunities to innovate and develop new energy-saving solutions in line with growing consumer and corporate concerns over energy consumption. - [Participating in Earth Hour](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earth-hour-fairmont-royal-york-hotel): Fairmont Royal York Hotel (Category: Eco) Implication: Hotels and restaurants can participate in Earth Hour by implementing energy-saving measures and offering eco-friendly services to guests. - [Earth Hour: Hawaii](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hickham-afb-hawaii-residences-will-go-dark-pearl-harbor-earth-hour): Pearl Harbor Residences Will Go Dark (Category: Eco) Implication: The renewable energy industry can provide eco-friendly power generators for public buildings participating in Earth Hour. - [Earth Hour 2008](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earth-hour-dark-sky-week-in-harmony): Dark Sky Week In Harmony, Florida (Category: Eco) Implication: Opportunity for hotels and restaurants to offer special packages and menus for Dark Sky Week and Earth Hour events. - [Canada's Green Commitment](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earth-hour-2008-canada): Earth Hour 2008 (Category: Tech) Implication: As the public continues to embrace sustainable living, there is a growing need for renewable energy companies to expand their reach and improve efficiency to meet the demand. - [Earth Hour 2008](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earth-hour-2008-germany): Germany (Category: Eco) Implication: Hotels and restaurants can create unique dining experiences by serving dinners by candlelight and promoting Earth Hour participation. - [Earth Hour 2008](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earth-hour-2008-sydney-australia): Sydney, Australia (Category: Eco) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Embrace emerging technologies to amplify their reach and influence in driving environmental change. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Eco - [Jewel-Toned Fall Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quince-silk) - [Compostable Coffee Pucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compostable-coffee-pucks) - [Intelligent Private Grids](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ara-core-powers) - [Compact Electric Family MPVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compact-electric-family-mpvs) All articles: [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco)