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Earth Hour: Iconic landmarks across the world switch off lights to highlight climate change

More than 100 UK sites participate in international event

Zamira Rahim
Saturday 30 March 2019 22:53 GMT
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Landmarks in nations across the world, from Samoa to the UK, were plunged into darkness on Saturday as activists marked Earth Hour.

The initiative, which is aimed at raising awareness about climate protection, was launched by the conservation charity World Wildlife Fund (WWF), to urge action to save the planet.

Lights were turned off at the landmarks between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Saturday.

Sydney Opera House, Egypt’s Great Pyramids, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer monument and the Empire State Building in New York were among the sites that took part in 2019.

In the UK more than 100 landmarks, from Buckingham Palace to Edinburgh Castle, switched off their lights.

The WWF also encouraged people to pledge personal actions as part of this year’s Earth Hour, such as turning the washing machine down to 30C, avoiding single-use plastics, planning a staycation or holiday nearer to home, changing the way they eat or helping restore nature in their local area.

Activists and crowds of people gathered at landmarks in their respective nations to mark the event.

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