World’s cities plunged into darkness for Earth Hour

The world renowned Harbour Bridge and Opera House in Sydney harbour were plunged into darkness this weekend, as were many other Sydney landmarks and office blocks as well as bars and restaurants all over Australia, to signify the 2008, Earth Hour.

It is estimated that up to 30 million people turned out their lights, switched off their TV’s around the globe to make a point about global climate change around the world. Thirty five countries and 375 towns and cities, officially took part in the effort to raise awareness of climate change.

In Australia there were many candle lit parties on the famous beaches, while others launched floating candles down rivers, other people marked the occasion by going to special candle only dinners at all kinds of restaurants around the country.

At Audis fell restaurants a bar in Australia’s State of Victoria the proprietors were offering free beers to any customers, who arrived holding a black balloon, symbolising that person’s carbon footprint.

The event began last year, and on that occasion Earth Hour was only supported by the city of Sydney, and it was estimated that over 2 million households and businesses on the big turn off.
For 2008 the event as taking on global proportions, with cities including Manila Ottawa Bangkok, San Francisco, Vancouver, Tel Aviv, and many others around the world pulling the plug.

Many world-renowned iconic structures put out their lights to show solidarity, including CN Tower in Toronto and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Earth Hour organisers requested that citizens of all the participating towns and cities around the world turned off all non-essential electrical items, for one hour at 8 p.m. local time Saturday.

Fiji capital Suva and New Zealand’s Christchurch, were the first two official participants be plunged into darkness. Christchurch energy company Orion said that power usage dropped by 13% during the event.

Earth Hour spokesman Andy Ridley, said “What makes Earth Hour a unique event is that it brings together governments, business and householders who all play a part in switching off the lights,”
Even Google got in on the act, symbolically, switching their page background to black.