The Aspire Tower plunged in darkness at 8.30pm yesterday to mark Earth Hour in Doha. (KAMMUTTY VP)
SYDNEY: Iconic landmarks and skylines were plunged into darkness yesterday as the “Earth Hour” switch-off of lights around the world got under way to raise awareness of climate change.
Sydney kicked off the event at 8.30pm (0930 GMT), cutting lights to cheers and applause from a small crowd which had gathered to see the skyline dim and Sydney Opera House turn a deep green to symbolise renewable energy.
Organisers said hundreds of millions of people across more than 150 countries were turning off their lights for 60 minutes last night — at 8:30pm local time — in a symbolic show of support for the planet.
Japan switched off soon after Australia, with the illumination on the landmark Tokyo Tower dimming down as visitors were given the chance to pedal bicycles to generate power to illuminate an egg-shaped artwork.
In the Chinese capital Beijing, lights were shut off at the former Olympic stadium, the “Bird’s Nest”, while in the commercial hub of Shanghai buildings along the famed riverfront Bund took part. AFP
