Earth Hour: Lights Turned off at World Famous Landmarks

Switzerland – Many of the world’s most famous landmarks were plunged into darkness on Saturday night to mark Earth Hour, a global campaign to highlight climate change.

The annual event has aimed to focus public attention on the issue of climate change and save a few megawatts in the process.

Millions of people from more than 170 countries took part in the annual bid to highlight global warming caused by the burning of coal, oil and gas to drive cars and power plants.

The event, which originated in Sydney, has grown to become a worldwide environmental campaign, celebrated across all continents.

Earth Hour organizer World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said great strides had been made to highlight the dire condition of the planet.

“We started Earth Hour in 2007 to show leaders that climate change was an issue people cared about,” coordinator Siddarth Das said.

Earth Hour does not collect global statistics on the energy conserved during the 60-minute blackout, with the event having a more symbolic intent.