From north to south and coast to coast the people of South America have stood up to be counted in the greatest ever global action on climate change
Brazil: Brazilians have participated in Earth Hour in record numbers. In total, 98 Brazilian cities committed themselves to Earth Hour and encouraged residents to take part in this symbolic gesture to express concern about climate change and the future of the Planet. 2,210 companies, 320 organisations and three state governments Minas Gerais, Acre and Espírito Santo also joined in. Rio de Janeiro switched off some of the best known Brazilian icons in the world: the avenue bordering the Copacabana beach, the Sugarloaf Mountain and the Statue of Christ the Redeemer which was kept in the dark too even though it is presently under repair.
Bolivia:
Iconic landmarks and monuments across the country voted for the planet by flicking their light switches including: Casa Dorada – Golden House, Luis de Fuentes Main Square and Coronel José Eustaquio Méndez Monument in Tarija, and the main squares in Trinidad, San Matías, Puerto Quijarro and San Ignacio de Velasco. A total of 13 cities and municipalities across Bolivia took part this year. At an official event in Santa Cruz, an ExpoForest Fair and unplugged concert were held, with over 450 people attending. The three main pavilions were all lit by candlelight.
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago:
The campaign in Trinidad and Tobago was spearheaded by media and communication company, CL Communications, a perfect example of the Earth Hour spirit at grass roots level.
Puerto Rico: Seven cities took part in Earth Hour in Puerto Rico this year including Rincon, Caguas, Ciales, Morovis, Ponce, and Corozal. In the capital Rincon, locals and tourists were treated to romantic candlelit dinners while the lights went out for Earth Hour. Rincon Town Hall switched off, and an official event was also held in the Plaza Publica de Caguas in Caguas.
Mexico:
Two major events were held in Mexico, one in Cancún and the other in Mexico City. 25 cities took part in this year’s Earth Hour. In Cancún, a city better known for its partying ways, a peaceful Earth Hour event took place at the Plaza Forum by the Sea, one of the most iconic tourist sites in the region. Lights were turned off around the Plaza, and more than 100 corporations around Cancun, including Coca Cola, HSBC, Riviera Maya and Cozumel joined the initiative.
175 historical archeological sites went dark for the hour, including the Mayan monument Chichen Itza. More than 20,000 hotel rooms were encouraged to join the initiative, demonstrating a commitment from the hospitality and tourism industry that has been echoed worldwide. WWF volunteers in Mexico formed a giant panda logo in the dark out of hundreds of candles. Over 50 schools and universities took part across the country.
Bogota, Columbia:
Columbia's passion and dedication for to climate change was evident as 38 icons and landmarks across the country went dark in support of Earth Hour including Parque Washington and Plazoleta de Maloka. A number of cultural concerts were held around the country including a Symphonic Rock Concert by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Medellín at Parque Lineal Ciudad del Río, which was attended by over 2000 people.
Lima, Peru:
The President of Peru emerged from the Presidential Palace to address a gathering of citizens and media outside the palace about the importance of Earth Hour. Lima Main Square, Lima Cathedral and the Lima Presidential Palace all switched off for the 60 minutes of Earth Hour, sending a powerful message about Peru’s commitment to the planet. Peru’s First Lady, Mrs. Pilar Nores de Garcia, also stood shoulder to shoulder with prominent women across the globe showing their resolution to tackle climate change. “This campaign is like an alarm clock for our conscience and a call for all Peruvians to embrace an individual and collective commitment with our planet,” she said.
Ecuador:
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Town Quito set the scene for Quito, Ecuador’s participation in Earth Hour. In a highly symbolic coming together, the church, government and local authorities of Quito all joined to ensure building lights were switched off and the town was blanketed in darkness. More than 5000 Ecuadorians attended the event, with live music, children singing, and lanterns illuminating the gathering while the lights were off. Yolanda Kakabadse, President of WWF International, addressed the crowd. Maria Caridad del Castillo, Queen of Quito, the Mayor of Santa Cruz, and Minister of Environment, Marcela Aguiñaga, were among those joining with residents to show a commitment to the earth by switching off. Another event was held at the seafront of Puerto Ayora, at Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos.
Belize:
Talking about Earth Hour ambassador Mrs. Kim Barrow, the First Lady of Belize said; "The time to act is now. Tomorrow is way too late. Take responsibility and make your mark. Any other option is unacceptable."
The city of San Pedro in Belize switched off for Earth Hour with candlelight parade beginning at Boca del Rio at 6:30pm, culminating at Saca Chispas Field for main event at 8:30pm. San Pedro’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Manuel Heredia gave a speech during the Earth Hour event.
Guatemala City: In celebration of Earth Hour, a soccer game between Guatemala’s two best known local teams was held early so the stadium lights could be switched off at 8:30pm for Earth Hour. In a special ceremony before the game, the players stormed the field wearing Earth Hour T-shirts; over 8,000 people watched the game. The famous Torre Del Reformador tower was one of the icons of Guatemala that was plunged into darkness. The official Earth Hour event in Antigua saw over 700 people in central park witnessing Earth Hour around them.
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Carrying the momentum of around 100 countries and territories, nations of South America have taken the Earth Hour baton of hope and delivered a resounding message of action on global warming.
Asuncion, Paraguay:
Largely driven by a Facebook event, residents of Asuncion, Paraguay gathered in front of one of the major shopping malls of Asuncion with candles forming the number “60” and a drum batcada making a powerful unplugged fiesta in celebration of Earth Hour 2010. Amateur astronomers offered their support to produce a makeshift observatory to seize the darkness while historical landmarks such as the Cabildo, Palacio de López and Palacio de López also dimmed, surpassing local organizers expectations.
Hamilton, Bermuda: Bermuda Cathedral in the city of Hamilton joined many iconic buildings in the town in switching off its light for Earth Hour 2010. Local residents united at Front Street and enjoyed entertainment and dinner to watch Hamilton go dark during the event. A student challenge was also created to get as many students to post their comments with pictures and drawings on what they did to mark the hour.
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Iconic landmarks such as the Manzana de las luces, Palacio Barolo and Monumento a los Españoles turned their lights off to mark Earth Hour 2010. On the night, a ‘big switch’ prop was placed in Obelisco where the city mayor marked the beginning of the hour by switching it off. Volunteers then spent the hour assembling the Earth Hour logo with candles and celebrating Earth Hour in a party atmosphere.
Montevideo, Uruguay: Demonstrating the power of the individual, two Uruguay residents led the charge for their country to take part in the global Earth Hour relay for the first time this year, securing support from the Municipal Council of Montevideo and corporate support from Coca Cola. Entertainment venue Conrad Punta del Este shut off its external decorative lights.
Santiago, Chile: Chileans have shown an unexpected enthusiasm in joining Earth Hour 2010 with nearly 2,500 signatories from all over the country pledging to participate in the annual event. With the effects of the February earthquakes still being felt throughout the city, residents have come together to take a stand against climate change.
Stanley, Falkland Islands: An official Earth Hour event organized by local Member of Parliament, Emma Edwards, was held at Whalebone Arch in the Falkland Islands. The Falkland Islands already source around 60 per cent of power from wind farms. Thirty school children and girl scouts took part in the event, as a poignant reminder of the need for action on climate change to protect the planet for younger generations.
Other Falkland Islands residents reveled in a lights out event at a local pub Narrow’s Bar.
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