ITWeb supports Earth Hour by planting trees

The campaign also encourages people to extend their involvement beyond the hour, and engage in ongoing activities that will have a positive impact on the planet.

Adding its own twist to the I Will If You Will campaign, ITWeb will plant one tree for every ten readers who pledge to support Earth Hour, whether it's simply switching off their lights on Saturday or committing to something more permanent, like starting to recycle.

Get permanently involved

ITWeb editorial director Ranka Jovanovic says the aim was to leverage the company's areas of influence and get involved with an action that would live beyond the hour. "ITWeb operates in two industry sectors, media and ICT both of which can play a powerful role in the green sphere; media, by explaining the environmental issues and how people and companies can make a positive impact, and ICT, by developing, promoting and using clean, energy-saving technologies."

The trees will be planted through local green search engine GreenSrch.com and related ad network Ads4Trees, and located at a reforestation project at Walkhaven Dog Park on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

Iconic landmarks are dimmed

Earth Hour was first held in Sydney in 2007, and has since grown to become the world's largest public environmental action. It is now celebrated in 5 251 cities and towns in 135 countries, across seven continents, involving some 1.8 billion people. Apart from homes and businesses, it sees the dimming of iconic landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Buckingham Palace, Golden Gate Bridge and Table Mountain.

ITWeb has also invited other local companies to match its pledge, in order to extend the positive impact. Businesses who would like to match or contribute their own tree-planting pledge can contact . To submit an Earth Hour pledge and boost ITWeb's tree count, follow this link and describe your commitment in the comment box.