-
Pyramids Before Earth Hour 2009
Photograph courtesy World Wildlife Fund
Egypt's famous sphinx sits bathed in floodlights near the Giza pyramids before Earth Hour 2009. More than 4,000 cities in 87 countries and several iconic landmarks went dark last year during the third annual Earth Hour. The initiative, run by the conservation nonprofit WWF, was designed to spark global interest in combating climate change. For 2010, Earth Hour will take place on March 27 at 8:30 p.m. local time.
Published March 24, 2010
-
Pyramids During Earth Hour 2009
Photograph courtesy World Wildlife Fund
The Great Pyramids of Giza, sphinx included, joined world landmarks such as the Athens Acropolis, the Eiffel Tower, and San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge in going dark for Earth Hour 2009.
Published March 24, 2010
-
Toronto Before Earth Hour 2008
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 24, 2010
-
Toronto During Earth Hour 2008
Photograph by Dick Hemingway via WWF-Canada
During Earth Hour on March 29, 2008, the bright lights of Toronto blinked out. The Canadian metropolis went dark again 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 24, 2010
-
Los Angeles During Earth Hour 2009
Photograph courtesy World Wildlife Fund
The City Hall building in Los Angeles, California, towers over the city streets. L.A. was among 318 U.S. cities that participated in Earth Hour 2009.
Published March 24, 2010
-
Los Angeles Before Earth Hour 2009
Photograph courtesy World Wildlife Fund
During Earth Hour 2009, Los Angeles' unlit City Hall building seemed to fade into the night sky.
Published March 24, 2010
-
Hong Kong Before Earth Hour 2009
Photograph by Vincent Yu, AP
The illuminated towers of Hong Kong stretch into the sky on March 28, 2009. At 8:30 local time, soon after this picture was taken, the district went dark in support of the world's third Earth Hour.
Published March 24, 2010
-
Hong Kong During Earth Hour 2009
Photograph by Vincent Yu, AP
More than 1,700 buildings in Hong Kong switched off for Earth Hour 2009, which spanned 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in time zones across the globe on March 28.
Published March 24, 2010
-
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. Brisbane was among more than 400 participating cities that turned off its lights to celebrate that year's Earth Hour.
Published March 24, 2010
-
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.
Published March 24, 2010
-
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 24, 2010
-
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 24, 2010
-
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 lights for Earth Hour.
Published March 24, 2010
-
Perth, Australia, During Earth Hour
Photograph by Rhianna Hook, courtesy WWF
Darkness descends on Perth, Australia, during Earth Hour 2008. WWF officials 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 24, 2010
Trending News
-
Pictures: Shark Swallows Shark
Divers on Australia's Great Barrier Reef recently snapped rare pictures of a wobbegong, or carpet shark, swallowing a bamboo shark whole.
-
New Space Pictures
Star trails streak over a salt lake, ice blooms into "broccoli," and the sun sets off sparks in this week's best space pictures.
-
Hangover Cures Explained
From B vitamins to hot peppers—suggestions abound for how to banish that New Year's Eve hangover.
Advertisement
ScienceBlogs Picks
Connect With Nat Geo
Got Something to Share?
Special Ad Section
Great Energy Challenge Blog
Sustainable Earth
-
Can Pesticides Grow Organic Crops?
The Change Reaction blog investigates in California.
-
Pictures: Surprising Drought Effects
Disrupting fracking, spreading illness, and changing animal patterns are a few results.
-
Pictures: Dolphins and Whales Hunted
Controversial whaling programs continue despite protections.
