Breaking news

Earth Hour 2025: A Global Stand For The Planet

At 8:30 pm on Saturday, 22 March 2025, millions around the world will switch off their lights for one hour in a symbolic act of environmental solidarity. Earth Hour, organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), has grown into a powerful global movement since its inception in 2007. This year, iconic landmarks from London to Liverpool will go dark, reminding us of the urgent need to tackle climate change and protect our planet’s natural resources.

Why Earth Hour Matters

What began as a local initiative in Sydney, Australia, with 2.2 million participants, has now spread to over 190 countries. Earth Hour is more than just turning off lights—it’s a call to action. By participating, individuals, businesses, and governments signal their commitment to a sustainable future.

This year’s campaign continues to emphasize the interconnected crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, encouraging communities to rethink consumption habits, reduce energy use, and adopt eco-conscious practices.

Larnaca Joins The Global Movement

In Cyprus, Larnaca is taking an active role in Earth Hour 2025. From 8:30 to 9:30 pm, the city will turn off the lights of the Kamara Monument and Salina Park, urging residents to do the same. More than a symbolic gesture, Larnaca’s participation aligns with the ‘Zero Food Waste’ initiative, reinforcing the importance of mindful consumption and reducing food waste.

“As part of this campaign, we are sending a strong message to protect our planet and promote sustainable habits,” the municipality stated, highlighting its commitment to raising awareness and encouraging responsible environmental practices.

How To Get Involved

Joining Earth Hour is simple—just switch off your lights for 60 minutes. But the impact goes beyond that. Here are a few meaningful ways to take part:

  • Spend time outdoors, appreciating nature without screens.
  • Host a candle-lit dinner with locally sourced, sustainable food.
  • Take the opportunity to unplug from digital devices and reflect on ways to reduce your environmental footprint.
  • Engage in discussions with friends and family about sustainability and small changes that can make a difference.

A Symbolic Gesture With Real Impact

Earth Hour serves as a powerful reminder that collective action matters. From the London Eye to Larnaca’s Kamara Monument, cities across the world are standing together in the fight against climate change. Whether through energy conservation, reducing waste, or supporting eco-friendly policies, every step counts toward building a more sustainable future.

Will you switch off for Earth Hour?

Cyprus Faces Persistent Labour Shortages Across Healthcare, Technology And Tourism

Cyprus is facing a widening labour market mismatch, with 63 occupations in shortage and 11 in surplus in 2024, according to the EURES Labour Shortages and Surpluses Report 2025.

The findings highlight continued recruitment challenges across several of the island’s key industries, particularly healthcare, technology and tourism.

Healthcare And Technology Face The Greatest Shortages

Healthcare occupations recorded some of the most severe shortages, including nurses, midwives, medical imaging technicians, general practitioners, specialist doctors, healthcare assistants and health and care services managers.

Demand also remains high for technology professionals. Employers reported shortages of information and communications technology sales specialists, systems analysts, software and applications developers, as well as web and multimedia developers.

Transport and hospitality occupations were also affected, with waiters and bus drivers among the professions experiencing shortages.

Tourism, Retail And Construction Continue To Feel The Pressure

Moderate shortages were identified across occupations linked to tourism, retail and construction. These include restaurant managers, retail and wholesale managers, accountants, electricians, electronics and mechanical technicians, chefs, shop sales assistants and cashiers.

Construction and industrial trades also remained under pressure. Builders, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians, welders, heavy goods vehicle drivers, cleaners and workers in agriculture, livestock, fisheries and construction-related services were all listed among occupations facing shortages.

Lower-severity shortages were recorded for engineers across several disciplines, hotel receptionists, cooks, carpenters, plumbers, electrical fitters, bakers and kitchen assistants.

Cyprus Reflects A Wider European Trend

Cyprus mirrors a broader labour market imbalance across the European Union, although shortages vary significantly between member states. Bulgaria, Italy and the Netherlands reported shortages across a wide range of occupations, from doctors to welders, with 57% classified as moderate or severe. Latvia, Austria and Finland, by contrast, recorded more labour surpluses, particularly in administrative and creative occupations.

According to the report, 98% of occupations experiencing shortages in at least one member state also recorded surpluses elsewhere in the European Union.

Structural Barriers Continue To Limit Labour Mobility

EURES attributes these imbalances to several structural factors, including limited awareness of job opportunities abroad, difficulties in recognising professional qualifications, language barriers and wage differences between countries.

Healthcare and social care remain among the sectors facing the greatest shortages across Europe, driven by ageing populations and growing demand for healthcare services.

Demand is also increasing for technical occupations linked to the green transition, including electricians, plumbers and roof technicians, as countries continue investing in energy efficiency and infrastructure.

Measures Proposed To Address Labour Gaps

The report recommends strengthening labour mobility across the European Union by simplifying the recognition of professional qualifications and reducing administrative barriers. It also calls for improvements in job quality, greater investment in vocational education and training, and measures to encourage higher labour market participation among women, older workers and migrants.

The findings are based on administrative data submitted by EURES National Coordination Offices for 2024, drawing on information from public employment services and other national sources across the European Union.

eCredo
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
Uol
Aretilaw firm

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter