Earth Hour Pictures: Before and After, Around the World

Rio Before Earth Hour

Photograph by Felipe Dana, AP

Illuminated as usual, "Christ the Redeemer" shines over Rio de Janeiro just before Earth Hour 2011.

Published March 28, 2011

Sydney Park During Earth Hour

Photograph by Lisa Maree Williams, Getty Images

The monumental, mouthy gateway to Sydney, Australia's historic Luna Park amusement park took on a rosy glow in the darkness of Earth Hour 2011 on Saturday night.

Published March 28, 2011

Sydney Park Before Earth Hour

Photograph by Alison French, My Shot

The Luna Park portal displays its typical electric appeal on a non-Earth Hour night (file picture).

Published March 28, 2011

Hong Kong During Earth Hour

Photograph by Paul Hilton, EPA

In Hong Kong, China, more than 3,200 companies and buildings shut off the lights Saturday night for Earth Hour 2011, setting a new record for the city's participation in the campaign, according to Chinese news service Xinhua.

Published March 28, 2011

Hong Kong Before Earth Hour

Photograph by Paul Hilton, EPA

Seen from Victoria Peak shortly before Earth Hour, Hong Kong's electrified skyline didn't seem significantly brighter than it did during Earth Hour on Saturday night.

Published March 28, 2011

Central Hong Kong During Earth Hour

Photograph by Kin Cheung, AP

Seen from the street, some commercial buildings in Hong Kong seem to vanish into the night during Earth Hour 2011 on Saturday.

Published March 28, 2011

Central Hong Kong Before Earth Hour

Photograph by Kin Cheung, AP

Shown just before Earth Hour on Saturday, Hong Kong buildings are aglow with the "nonessential lights" that give their exteriors vibrant colors and patterns, lending the Chinese city its distinctive—if energy hungry—skyline.

Published March 28, 2011

Athens During Earth Hour

Photograph by John Kolesidis, Reuters

The Parthenon and the Herodion theater are shrouded in darkness during Earth Hour in Athens, Greece, on Saturday.

Published March 28, 2011

Athens After Earth Hour

Photograph by John Kolesidis, Reuters

The Parthenon and the Herodion theater shine like beacons above Athens, Greece, after Earth Hour on Saturday.

Published March 28, 2011

Jakarta, Indonesia, During Earth Hour

Photograph from Supri/Reuters

The Welcome Statue fountain in Jakarta, Indonesia, goes dim during Earth Hour on Saturday.

The city of 18.7 million—Southeast Asia's biggest—also darkened their city hall, the National Monument (Monas), and other landmarks, according to WWF.

Published March 28, 2011

Jakarta, Indonesia Before Earth Hour

Photograph from Supri/Reuters

Jakarta's Welcome Statue fountain shimmers before Earth Hour on Saturday.

Other Indonesian cities joined Earth Hour for the first time in 2011, including Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya, according to WWF.

Published March 28, 2011