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Brisbane, Australia, Before Earth Hour
Photograph by Marty Pouwelse, courtesy WWF
The city lights of Brisbane--Australia's third most populous city--create blurred pillars of color on the Brisbane River on March 29, 2008.
In March 2008 Brisbane was among more than 400 participating cities that turned off its lights (see next photo) to celebrate Earth Hour, a movement started in Sydney in 2007 to show commitment toward slowing the effects of global warming. In 2009, 2,712 cities, towns, and municipalities in 83 countries have signed up to participate in Earth Hour on March 28 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. local time.
(Read the full story: "Earth Hour 2009: A Billion to Go Dark Saturday?")Published March 26, 2009
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Brisbane, Australia, During Earth Hour
Photograph by Marty Pouwelse, courtesy WWF
During Earth Hour 2008 many offices and neon signs in Brisbane went dark, leaving only muted colors reflected in the river.
Officials with the conservation nonprofit WWF, which sponsors the event, note that Earth Hour isn't meant to have a significant energy savings, but to make a statement. According to the WWF Web site, "Earth Hour symbolizes that by working together, each of us can make a positive impact in the fight against climate change."Published March 26, 2009
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Toronto Before Earth Hour
Photograph by Dick Hemingway via WWF-Canada
The CN Tower dominates the skyline in Toronto, Canada's largest city. From 1975 to 2007 the tower was the largest freestanding structure in the world. Just before Earth Hour 2008, the tower stood surrounded by bright lights from high-rises and the dome of Rogers Centre arena-and-stadium complex (left).
Published March 26, 2009
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Toronto During Earth Hour
Photograph by Dick Hemingway via WWF-Canada
During Earth Hour on March 29, 2008, the bright lights of Toronto blinked out. The Canadian metropolis will again go dark for Earth Hour 2009 on March 28, joining a wave of cities including Sydney, Seoul, Beijing, Mumbai (Bombay), Athens, Paris, New York, and Mexico City.
Published March 26, 2009
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Sydney Before Earth Hour
Photograph by James Alcock, courtesy WWF
With an estimated 4.34 million residents, Sydney, shown on Earth Day 2008, is Australia's most populous city. In 2007, 2.2 million of Sydney's denizens went dark for an hour to show support for reductions in activities that worsen global warming. The event's unexpected popularity in 2007 prompted organizer WWF to take Earth Hour global in 2008.
Published March 26, 2009
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Sydney During Earth Hour
Photograph by James Alcock, courtesy WWF
In March 2008 Sydney joined more than 400 cities around the world in celebrating the second Earth Hour. Along with its high-rises, the city's famed Opera House and Harbour Bridge faded to black during the allotted 60 minutes.
Published March 26, 2009
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Perth, Australia, Before Earth Hour
Photograph by Rhianna Hook, courtesy WWF
Perth, Australia, glows with activity on March 29, 2008. Australia's fourth most populous city, Perth made headlines in 1962 when it turned on as many lights as possible as a sign of support to astronaut John Glenn as he orbited the Earth aboard the spacecraft Friendship 7.
In March 2008 Perth showed support for scaling back the effects of climate change by turning off its light for Earth Hour.Published March 26, 2009
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Perth, Australia, During Earth Hour
Photograph by Rhianna Hook, courtesy WWF
Darkness descends on Perth, Australia, during Earth Hour 2008. In addition to cities, Earth Hour partners last year included famous monuments such as the Colosseum in Rome, London's City Hall, New York City's Empire State Building, and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
"Earth Hour will focus global attention on addressing the issue of climate change," Earth Hour executive director Andy Ridley said in a statement.
In 2009, "we are asking one billion people to take part in what is essentially the first global vote for action on climate change by turning off their lights for one hour and casting a vote for Earth."Published March 26, 2009
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