Earth Hour!
Earth Hour Rolls Round the World
Earth Hour 2010 has rolled across Australia and the globe, once again bringing together hundreds of millions of people around the world in support for action on climate change, and promoting the need for long-term sustainability to Australians.
A record number of countries took part in the now-global call for a more harmonious relationship between humans and nature. More than 4,300 cities and towns in 126 countries celebrated the event.
“People all over the planet have again shown that the spirit of Earth Hour comes from millions of small actions that we can all take as one,” said WWF-Australia CEO Greg Bourne.
“Whether you switched off the lights in Brisbane, Beijing or Barcelona – you were part of something that is now a worldwide call for action on protecting our environment.”
“When we conceived Earth Hour just four years ago, we wanted it to be something that could spread from its home town of Sydney right across the world. We’ve now well and truly proved that this is possible. Earth Hour is now a multi-local event connecting the world’s largest cities with some of its remotest and most fragile places.”
Across Australia, all capital cities and more than 150 local government areas participated and thousand of businesses. Landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge; Perth’s Kings Park; Parliament House, the National Library and Gallery in Canberra and Melbourne’s Arts Centre and Crown Casino were all plunged into darkness.
Sydney Harbour Bridge from Goat Island During Earth Hour.
World Wide News
Standing at over 800m, the world tallest building has switched off for Earth Hour. The Burj Khalifa, which usually illuminates the night sky in Dubai, has made a spectacular statement for action on climate change when it plunged into darkness for Earth Hour.
In Beijing, the hallowed Forbidden City Palace, which served as the ceremonial and political hub of China for almost five centuries was plunged into darkness as the China participated in earth Hour.
Giant panda Mei Lan led events in 30 Chinese cities, walking onto a platform amid dimming lights in her enclosure at the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan
In Cairo, Egypt Ancient and modern marvels switched off for Earth Hour in Egypt with The Great Pyramids of Giza and The Sphinx taking part in Earth Hour for the second time. These two ancient icons were joined by Cairo Tower and Cairo Citadel, demonstrating Egypt's commitment to resolving the issue of climate change. In total, 11 nations across and off the coast of Africa – exceeding last years number of 3 – have participated in Earth Hour as the cradle of civilization makes a powerful statement on climate change.
In the Maldives the state broadcaster ceased transmission for an hour to mark the event.
Over 250 cities, towns and municipalities across Greece were plunged into darkness for Earth Hour. Iconic Greek landmarks including the Acropolis, Parthenon, Statue of Alexander the Great and White Tower went dark as an ‘unplugged’ concert took place in Athens.
With all but two nations of the European Union participating in Earth Hour, a resounding statement on sustainable development has come from the continent that now commands the world’s strongest economy. Italy's Leaning Tower of Pisa and buildings across Germany and a host of nations went dark.
In London, Big ben Buckingham Palace and Number 10 Downing St went dark, and people gathering to watch Piccadilly Circus darkening for only the fifth time since World War II.
Londoners also joined the WWF team in Trafalgar Square as a giant Hour Glass tracked the hour and reminded all who watched, that while time is ticking, there is still enough time to act, while half a dozen bridges along the River Thames flicked the switch including the iconic Tower Bridge.
At least 100 events took place to mark Earth Hour in Sweden this year, with a total 209 out of Sweden’s 290 municipalities participating. Iconic buildings in Stockholm including the Royal Castle, central station and the Royal Opera all went dark. A huge concert in the central square of Stockholm saw 7,000 people gathering to show support – lighting for the stage was powered by the Swedish national bicycle team pedaling bikes.
