MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

In support of our planet, Earth Hour’s global display of climate action

Saturday March 27 at 8.30pm local time, more than 4000 cities and towns across 125 countries and regions will switch off their lights for Earth Hour in an historic moment of global unity.

From the favelas of Rio de Janeiro to the Los Angeles hills, from the Falkland Islands to Beijing hundreds of millions of people from all walks of life and corners of the globe will come together in an unprecedented moment of celebration and contemplation of the one thing every person on the planet has in common – the planet.

Fifty six national capitals and eight of the ten most populated metropolises on the planet will see participation in this year’s event, along with some of the world’s most prominent cites, including: Beijing, London, New York, Paris, Moscow, Tokyo, Berlin, Rome, Stockholm, Cairo, Washington DC, Rio de Janeiro, Dubai, Mexico City, Sydney, Delhi, Singapore. Toronto, Copenhagen, Manila, Istanbul, Nairobi, Bangkok, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires, Cape Town and Davis Station in Antarctica.

The Great Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza, the ancient world’s most powerful symbol of united action, head a list of 1274 man-made marvels and natural wonders switching off for Earth Hour worldwide, including: Forbidden City in Beijing, Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe in Paris, Empire State Building in New York, Buckhingham Palace and Big Ben in London, Brandenbug Gate in Berlin, The Acropolis in Athens, Trevi Fountain and Coliseum in Rome, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Hiroshima Peace Memorial in Japan, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, Las Vegas Strip, India Gate and Red Fort in Delhi, Edinburgh Castle, CN Tower in Toronto. Burj Khalifa in Dubai (world’s tallest building, Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Bosphorous Bridge in Istanbul, Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Table Mountain in Cape Town, The London Eye, Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing, Kuwait Towers, The Merlion in Singapore, Independence Angel in Mexico City, Niagara Falls in USA, Taipei 101, St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Sears Tower in Chicago and Grand Palace in Bangkok.

“Whether it’s joining your community in a town square to watch the city lights go dark or hosting a lights out party in your own home, I encourage everybody across the world to be a part of this historic occasion. Turn off your lights, celebrate the planet, enjoy the moment and show the world what can be done,” said Earth Hour Executive Director and Co-Founder, Andy Ridley.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also adhered in support of Earth Hour emphasizing the simple message that climate change is a concern for all the inhabitants of the planet Earth.

“The United Nations is once again pleased to support Earth Hour, a global awareness campaign on climate change that spans thousands of cities around the world.

“This year is also the International Year of Biodiversity. Despite international commitments to slow the global rate of extinctions by 2010, the Earth’s species and ecosystems on which we depend for sustenance, economic development and cultural well-being continue to decline. Climate change is a significant cause.

“The message of Earth Hour is simple. Climate change is a concern for each of us. Solutions are within our grasp and are ready to be implemented by individuals, communities, businesses and governments around the globe.

“Earth Hour is both a warning and a beacon of hope. By switching off non-essential lights for an hour, people will join a symbolic display that can inspire the change we so urgently need. As we watch the lights go out from continent to continent, let us reflect on the fragility and importance of our natural heritage and pledge to protect it for a sustainable future for all”.

More info: http://www.earthhour.org/