Summary

This is a medal from a first day cover released on 11 March 2009, it features three stamps and three medals representing Earth Hour, which that year was 8.30pm on 28 March. The stamps feature designs by Hoyne Design and included the text - Earth Hour 8.30pm 28.03.09. The stamps all feature a simple graphic representation of an animal - from the 55c Leadbeater's possum (Lights Out), and the 55c owl (Switch off), to the $2.05 (international post) orangutan (Save Energy).These same messages are replicated on each of the individual medals accompanying the stamps. Only 10,000 numbered covers were produced; this one is 05715/10,000

Earth Hour is an initiative of World Wildlife Fund (Australia) which started in 2007. Earth Hour was conceived "to raise awareness of global warming and to show how the small actions of individuals can together make a big difference in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping save the planet". In March 2009, Australia Post issued several prestige products (since withdrawn) equally promoting and recognizing the growing reach of, EARTH HOUR.

Physical Description

Round enamelled medal, the obverse features an image of a Leadbeater' s possum holding onto an electric light. The possum is enamelled in grey with round black eyes. The background is green, and there is a white border around the central design, featuring silver text.

Obverse Description

Image of a Leadbeater's possum holding onto an electric light. The possum is enamelled in grey with round black eyes. The background is green, and there is a white border around the central design, featuring silver text.

Reverse Description

Relief text in a circular border: SAVE ENERGY / EARTH HOUR Smaller circle within, containing following text: EARTH HOUR / 2009 SATURDAY / 8.30 PM 28 MARCH

Edge Description

Plain.

Significance

Climate change is with us wherever we are, from those events which are natural, cyclical and forever evolving in nature, through to those influences that are man-made, and yet to be fully understood.

Earth Hour was conceived "to raise awareness of global warming and to show how the small actions of individuals can together make a big difference in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping save the planet".

It is significant that the Leadbeater's Possum, Victoria's faunal emblem is featured as the 'lights out' icon. Prior to Black Saturday the Leadbeater's Possum was already threatened but has since lost 95% of its sub-alpine habitat. Thus the possiblilty of the this species becoming extinct is now very real. This cover succinctly illustrates the link between human influence, climate change and the impact on native wildlife.

Further Earth Hour itself is an Australian-born phenomenom which reveals the growing interest in and understanding in the concepts of human influenced climate change across all walks of life.

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