With all but two nations of the European Union participating in Earth Hour, a resounding statement on sustainable development has come from the continent that now commands the world’s strongest economy.
Germany:
Participation was also up in Germany, where the lights went out for the first time on the Arc de Triomphe’s brother in arches - Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate. The link between the two was French Emperor Napoleon, who marched under the Brandenburg Gate in triumph and is prominently depicted on Arc de Triomphe, completed long after his death. It is the first time both arches have gone dark together in the cause of a determined campaign to resolve the climate change issue. Other German monuments of note darkening for Earth Hour included Heidelberg Castle and Cologne Cathedral. "WWF is completely right. Everyone can do something. I am very happy to contribute because every single contribution makes a difference," said Roger Cicero, a German Jazz musician.
Amsterdam, Netherlands:
The capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam cut the lights at most city buildings including Schiphol Airport, Artis Zoo and the Amsterdam Arena. The Amsterdam Hilton, the site where 41 years ago in 1969 (29th March) John Lennon and Yoko Ono held their famous 'bed-in for peace', went dark in support of Earth Hour.
Belgium:
Belgium’s cities, towns and municipalities showed overwhelming support of Earth Hour with around half (nearly 300) switching off. Across Belgium throughout the night, the lights of highways were switched off apart from exits and emergency bays.
In Brussels the iconic Atomium switched off, as well as the City Hall, Grand Place and the Eglise Royale Saint-Marie. The European Parliament and Commission also switched off in the city which is the capital of the European Union.
Paris, France:
Paris city and arrondissement authorities turned off the lighting on around 240 monuments that in a stunning contribution to the Earth Hour call for effective climate action last night.
Going dark were more than 30 of the city’s famous Seine river bridges, with the river also temporarily ceasing to reflect the Notre Dame cathedral. Also with their lights out for the hour were the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and dozens of churches, statues and inner city monuments.
Parisians were joined by citizens of most of France’s major cities, including Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Marseilles, Nantes, Nice Strasbourg and Toulouse.
The big switch-off took place on the Champs de Mars, place Jacques Rueff, situated right under the Eiffel Tower. As part of the celebration, 1600 candles were lit shaping the number 60 and symbolizing the mobilisation of the Parisian people and their vote for earth.
Czech Republic:
A debuting Earth Hour nation, lights were turned out on the Czech city of Telč and its UNESCO listed World Heritage historic town square during the country’s first Earth Hour participation, which covered 25 cities and towns across the country.
In the second largest city of Brno, lights were turned off on the major landmark of Špilberk castle.
Switzerland: Most major Swiss cities also participated, giving the tiny but complex country a representation of monuments for all of its linguistic groups – Lausanne Cathedral and Geneva’s Jet d’Eau Fountain, Zurich’s city hall and cathedral and Bellinzona’s heritage listed three castles.
Rome Italy:
Rome’s most famous fountain, the Fontana di Trevi, turned off lights for Earth Hour calling for a more harmonious relationship between humans and nature.
The eternal city, sometimes known as the City of Fountains, faces challenges in the future from a drying Mediterranean basin as global temperature rises.
Other Italian monuments turning off lights included the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, the Castello Sforzesco in Milan and the leaning Tower of Pisa.
Spain:
Organisers estimate six million people took part in Earth Hour across Spain this year. At least 200 cities went dark in a show of support for action on climate change, and the story lead the news throughout the night.
In Madrid, over 2000 people congregated in Parque del Retiro with candles, while drums and acoustic music rang in the hour. The Royal Palace, Royal Site El Ecorial and Puerta de Alcala all went dark.
Spain saw in Earth Hour with a Popular Race for the Planet finishing at Puerta de Alcala in Plaza de a Independence in Madrid, just before the lights were turned out on the ornate neo-classical gate.
Also turning off lights in Spain, were some of Spain’s most historic buildings including Royal Palaces in Madrid and elsewhere and the Alhambra of Granada.
Portugal: Portugal’s second largest city of Porto joined Earth Hour four the first time this year, turning off the lights on an impressive total of 43 of its monuments.
Capital Lisbon, first global city of the country also turned many monuments’ lights off, including the Castle of Saint George, the Statue of Marquês de Pombal, the Jeronimos Monastery and the Belém Tower.
Built as a fortress to guard the entrance to Lisbon's harbor, the Belem Tower was the starting point for many of the voyages of discovery.
Podgorica, Montenegro: The youth of Podgorica, Montenegro played a huge part in marking Earth Hour 2010. Elementary school students formed the symbolic Earth Hour ‘60’ in a performance aided by solar lamps to kick off the campaign. The country also opened its first solar kindergarten to mark the occasion. The main City of Delta participated by switching off their central lighting for the hour.
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina:Sarajevo joined a host of cities across Bosnia and Herzegovina flicking the switch for Earth Hour. In the main square of Sarajevo, citizens were given candles and grouped to form the shape of the planet.
In Banjaluka, the city park Petar Kočić formed the backdrop for a concert with local music stars, Maja Manojlovic and guitar duo Dejan Zoric&Vedran Gavric. Individuals formed the number 60 with flambeaus on the grass in the park in a symbolic act.
Zagreb, Croatia:
The city of Zagreb in Croatia was blacked out when almost 6,000 street lamps of the 338 public areas were switched off for the annual Earth Hour event. Citizens danced through the darkness as they were entertained by a concert lighted by torches in front of the Croatian National Theatre (HNK).
Portugal:
In Portugal, 27 cities took part in this year’s Earth Hour – more than double the number that participated in last year’s event. Two giant switches were set up to mark the big switch-off - in Faro the mayor flicked the switch on the city, as the Square of Se, Manuel Bivar’s Garden, the City Arch, The City Walls and Market Square went dark.
In Lisbon a giant switch at Jeronimos Monastery was turned off plunging the monastery into darkness, along with icons including the Electricity Museum, Fountain of Light in Belem, the Castle of Saint George, and the Statue of Christ in Almada-Lisbon.
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11 nations across and off the coast of Africa – exceeding last years number of 3 – have participated in Earth Hour as the cradle of civilization makes a powerful statement on climate change.
Cairo, Egypt:Ancient and modern marvels switched off for Earth Hour in Egypt with The Great Pyramids of Giza and The Sphinx taking part in Earth Hour for the second time. These two ancient icons were joined by Cairo Tower and Cairo Citadel, demonstrating Egypt's commitment to resolving the issue of climate change.
Port Louis, Mauritius:
The Swan Group in Mauritius led the way in Mauritius by distributing 800 candles and candleholders to all companies and employees in the building. All 320 employees lit candles for Earth Hour in their homes, sharing the moment with their families to reflect on their relationship with the environment.
Antananarivo, Madagascar:
The capital and largest city in Madagascar, Antananarivo plunged into darkness for Earth Hour. In celebrating Earth Hour 2010 Madagascar adapted the popular Malagasy song "Mba vonoy o!" to include the lights off message.
Antananarivo’s most recognised landmark, and the only one with regular with electricity - the Train Station - switched off for Earth Hour.
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania:
Tanzania celebrated Earth Hour 2010 ensuring is acknowledge every hour, with Lukosi Secondary school, Iringa and Mahurunga Secondary school, Mtwara installing solar power systems for Earth Hour in a lasting commitment to the environment, providing a bright future for students.
Nairobi, Kenya:A fun community event organized by the Scouts the National Environment Trust Fund saw Kenyans celebrate Earth Hour to their own special beat, with an environmental concert in Nairobi led by renowned Afro-fusion artist, Achien'g Abura.
The historic event saw hundreds more Kenyans gather in their homes and other social events across the country to witness the lights going out. This included businesses and the manufacturing industry led by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers.
“A drop, a stream, a river, a sea. We need to bring our collective action to one place. If we are serious enough, our fight on global warming will be won. We just cannot afford to sit back and watch. We must take individual action now!” concluded Ms. Abura who is also WWF’s Goodwill Ambassador.
Dakar, Senegal:
Dakar city in Senegal acknowledged Earth Hour on the historic island of Goree, where 3000 youth group members held a candlelit vigil in celebration and contemplation of their harmonious co-existence with the planet.
The Meridien Hotel group also participated in the global climate action with guests attending cocktails by candlelight throughout their properties.
Maputo, Mozambique:Maputo, the capital and largest city of Mozambique celebrated Earth Hour by partnering with national private business groups, to create an exhibit of “green” products and services. Mozambique WWF partnered with the Environment Ministry to launch a CD on Climate Change.
Cape Town, South Africa:Cape Town celebrated Earth Hour in unique style; over 80 children from disadvantaged backgrounds were invited to play in a special game of ‘glow-in-the-dark’ beach football on Muizenberg Beach in Cape Town.
Landmarks to go dark included Table Mountain, Nelson Mandela Bridge, Nelson Mandela Square, World Cup venue Soccer World Cup Stadium: Moses Mabhida Stadium.
An impressive 50 cities switched off for Earth Hour across South Africa, with the support of 20 ambassadors. The ambassadors included; Nobel Peace Prize winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu; previous Miss South Africa and TV Presenter, Jo-Ann Strauss; Springbok Rugby players, Bryan Habana and Percy Montgomery together with Super 14 Rugby team, The Stormers.
Harare, Zimbabwe:The Victoria Falls, considered to be among the seven natural wonders of the world, was host to an impressive Earth Hour event where 250 school children held a candle-lit-vigil-viewing of the Falls and read poetry, reflecting on their own personal commitment to building a more sustainable future.
Windhoek, Namibia: Lights were switched off in across Namibia, with lodges in national parks going dark. The lodges in Namib Naukluft park, in the famous Namib desert were plunged into darkness in a show of support, as well as those in the Etosha national park, with candlelit dinners held in lodge restaurants across the country.
Casablanca, Morocco:One of the truly great stories of Earth Hour 2010 was the initiative shown by group of University students, friends and associates who contacted Earth Hour to find out how they could run Earth Hour in Morocco.
With study commitments and full-time jobs to hold down they volunteered their time engaging with corporations, local governments and an extensive social media network to ensure Morocco was represented in the world’s greatest ever action on climate change. Their efforts highlighted by landmarks in Casablanca switching off, including Casanearshore – the largest business park in Africa.
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