SYDNEY–Four Australian capitals will be joined by nine international cities in switching off their lights for an hour next year to help tackle climate change and highlight global warming.
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra will plunge into darkness at 8pm local times on March 29 to cut greenhouse gas emissions as part of the International Earth Hour campaign.
They will be joined by a host of cities including Chicago, Toronto, Manila and Tel Aviv, with many others expected to sign up to the campaign in early 2008.
The concept is the brainchild of World WWF Australia, which approached the City of Sydney more than 18 months ago with the concept.
WWF Australia CEO Greg Bourne said the inaugural Earth Hour attracted attention from around the world and he expected governments, businesses, community leaders and individuals to turn off their lights in large numbers.
"The majority of people in the world now live in our cities and cities are major contributors to global warming and cities need to show a lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions," Mr Bourne told reporters.
He said last year's Earth Hour in Sydney took the equivalent of almost 50,000 cars off the road and got Sydneysiders talking about rescuing their planet.
Sydney Mayor Clover Moore said 2.2 million corporate and residential Sydneysiders joined the voluntary blackout on March 31 this year.
"It inspired and achieved a terrific response," Ms Moore said.
She said Sydney had surpassed its aim of reducing emissions by 5 per cent on the night.
Earth Hour will take place at 8pm local times on Saturday, March 29 next year.
Feeds