EnvironmentClimate Changebuckingham palaceWorld Wide Fund for Nature

Lights Go Out Around The World For 'Earth Hour' To Highlight Climate Change

A record number of countries and territories participated in this year's event.
By 

Breaking News Reporter, HuffPost

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People in 188 countries and territories turned off their lights on Saturday evening to mark the 11th annual Earth Hour, a global initiative that seeks to raise awareness of climate change.

The campaign set a new participation record, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), whose Australia branch launched the first event in 2007. Along with individuals darkening their homes, more than 17,900 landmarks and monuments turned out their lights.

Those landmarks included Rome’s Colosseum, Paris’ Eiffel Tower, Sydney’s Opera House, and London’s Buckingham Palace.

Marco Lambertini, WWF International’s director general, noted the event’s growing momentum on social media as well, with two hashtags for the event ― #EarthHour and #Connect2Earth ― seen trending in 33 countries. Earth Hour has also been mentioned on social media more than 3.5 billion times so far this year, according to WWF.

“The record participation in this year’s Earth Hour, from skylines to timelines, is a powerful reminder that people want to connect to Earth,” Lambertini said in a statement. “People are demanding commitment now on halting climate change and the loss of nature. The stakes are high and we need urgent action to protect the health of the planet for a safe future for us and all life on Earth.”

The hour-long event began at 8:30 p.m., local time.

Check out some of the photos below:

Paris

The Eiffel Tower is seen submerging into darkness as part of the Earth Hour switch-off on Saturday.
The Eiffel Tower is seen submerging into darkness as part of the Earth Hour switch-off on Saturday.
Chesnot via Getty Images

Buckingham Palace, London

The palace, before and after switching off its lights.
The palace, before and after switching off its lights.
PA Wire/PA Images

Bangkok

Tourist boats pass the Wat Arun, a major Buddhist temple and landmark in Thailand, before and during Earth Hour.
Tourist boats pass the Wat Arun, a major Buddhist temple and landmark in Thailand, before and during Earth Hour.
ROMEO GACAD via Getty Images

Jakarta, Indonesia

Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, before and after its lights were dimmed.
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, before and after its lights were dimmed.
Willy Kurniawan / Reuters

Berlin

The Brandenburg Gate, before and during Earth Hour.
The Brandenburg Gate, before and during Earth Hour.
Adam Berry via Getty Images

New York

Krasnoyarsk, Russia

The Stupa of Enlightenment, a holy monument constructed of granite at the Buddhist Center in Krasnoyarsk, during Earth Hour (top) and before.
The Stupa of Enlightenment, a holy monument constructed of granite at the Buddhist Center in Krasnoyarsk, during Earth Hour (top) and before.
Ilya Naymushin / Reuters

Rome

The Colosseum, before and after its lights were switched off.
The Colosseum, before and after its lights were switched off.
Stefano Rellandini / Reuters

Egypt’s Pyramids

Singapore

Giant concrete tree-like structures called 'Supertrees' are seen before (top) and after the lights were dimmed to mark Earth Hour at Singapore's Gardens by the Bay in Singapore.
Giant concrete tree-like structures called 'Supertrees' are seen before (top) and after the lights were dimmed to mark Earth Hour at Singapore's Gardens by the Bay in Singapore.
Edgar Su / Reuters

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Old Bridge in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, before (top) and during (bottom) Earth Hour.
The Old Bridge in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, before (top) and during (bottom) Earth Hour.
Dado Ruvic / Reuters

Moscow

The buildings of the Moscow International Business Center, also known as "Moskva-City," before and during the commemoration of Earth Hour.
The buildings of the Moscow International Business Center, also known as "Moskva-City," before and during the commemoration of Earth Hour.
Sergei Karpukhin / Reuters
Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, before and after its lights were turned off.
Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, before and after its lights were turned off.
Dmitry Serebryakov via Getty Images
The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, before and during Earth Hour.
The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, before and during Earth Hour.
Sergei Fadeichev via Getty Images

Hong Kong

Buildings are lit up before Earth Hour along the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong.
Buildings are lit up before Earth Hour along the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong.
VCG via Getty Images
The same skyline, during Earth Hour.
The same skyline, during Earth Hour.
VCG via Getty Images
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