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(Nairobi, Kenya): On 27 March 2010, Hundreds of Kenyan’s joined the people in 125 other countries and regions around the world for Earth Hour. The lights of the Kenyatta International Conference Centre’s main tower went off at exactly 8.30pm to the dramatic live performance by Kenya’s afro-jazz maestro Achieng’ Abura.

Ms. Abura also launched her environmental album, “Time for change”. And a time for change it was. Twenty minutes into her performance, the skies opened up. What had been bright clear skies earlier in the day was replaced by a sudden burst of rain that decipated at exactly 9.30pm, just in time for the lights to be switched back on.

“Earth Hour demonstrates the determination of the world’s citizens for a better healthier world. It is a journey to positive action on climate change,” said Rubina Haroon, WWF’s Regional Representative for Eastern & Southern Africa.

The United Nations’ expansive complex in Nairobi also had an official switch off to mark Earth Hour. “UNEP is pleased and proud to support Earth Hour again this year. By dimming non- essential lights we remember and recognize that moving to a low carbon sustainable future for all is not only within our grasp, but is an imperative for the health of the planet and humanity itself,'' said Satinder Bindra, Director of Communications, UNEP.

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.

Note to editors: B-roll and Earth Hour still images can be found at www.earthhour.panda.org

For more information about Earth Hour Kenya, please contact:
Kimunya Mugo, Regional Communications Manager, WWF Eastern & Southern Africa Regional Programme Office
Tel: +254 (0)20 3877355, +254 (0)723 786191
E: kmugo@wwfesarpo.org

About Earth Hour
Earth Hour is a global WWF climate change initiative. Individuals, businesses, governments and communities are invited to turn out their lights for one hour on Saturday March 27, 2010 at 8:30 PM to show their support for action on climate change. The event began in Sydney in 2007, when 2 million people switched off their lights. In 2008, more than 50 million people around the globe participated. In 2009, Earth Hour reached 1 billion people in 4,088 cities and towns in 88 countries making it the largest public demonstration for action on climate change ever.

About WWF
WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

March 28, 2010: Sydney Australia: 13:30 AEST/ 02:30 GMT

Asuncion, Paraguay: Largely driven by a Facebook event, rresidents 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 local pub Narrow’s Bar.

Additional highlights from Europe:

Tirane, Albania: Three separate events were held for Earth Hour in Albania. On the night the Clock Tower and City Hall in Tirane went dark. Volunteers at an official event in Tirane created the Earth Hour 60 symbol from candles as a symbol for hope and more than 600 people attended the event to show their support. Organisers estimate between 2000 and 3000 families switched off their lights during Earth Hour this year.

Vienna, Austria: The home of Mozart took part in symbolic symphony of darkness, with the Uhrturm Clocktower, Leopoldinen Temple, and Esterhazy Castle flicking the switch in support of Earth Hour. IKEA, Allianz, Samsung and Hilton Hotels joined cultural icons across the country including the Lentos Art Museum, and the Opera House, switching off their lights in a symbol of action on climate change.

Serbia: In Serbia, the country with one of the highest carbon footprints in Europe, Belgrade’s Eco Musketeers moved into action just before Earth Hour. Volunteers collected powerful messages from individuals for the authorities about the need to tackle climate change. The Eco Musketeers gathered by one of the central monuments of Serbian inventor Nikola Tesla (1856 – 1943). A national icon and one of the fathers of commercial electricity, Tesla was ‘recruited’ as an Earth Hour ambassador because his way of thinking and research was closely inspired by our planet.

In Serbia’s second largest city, Novi Sad, Earth Hour crowds congregated at the historic Petrovaradin Fortress. At the Planetarium, visitors were invited to gaze at a brighter set of stars with the lights out.

Swansea, Wales: The city of Swansea, Wales plunged into darkness for Earth Hour 2010 when Tintern Abbey, one of the most spectacular ruins in Britain joined other Welsh historical castles like Caernarfon Castle, Conwy Castle and Kidwelly Castle in switched off in a fight against climate change. Other iconic buildings and landmarks that participated in the annual event included Wales Millennium Centre, Newport’s Civic Clock Tower, Pierhead building and Cadriff Harbour Centre. Almost 100 schools have also joined the pledge.

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Andy Ridley, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Earth Hour, is available for interview to discuss the highlights and global trends of Earth Hour as the relay rolls out across the globe.

Earth Hour Images, video and audio will be updated regularly as each country switches off for Earth Hour at http://earthhour.panda.org/

For more information about Earth Hour 2010, please contact:
Earth Hour 24 Hour Newsroom
+61 404 929 243

About Earth Hour
Earth Hour is a global WWF climate change initiative. Individuals, businesses, governments and communities are invited to turn out their lights for one hour on Saturday March 27, 2010 at 8:30 PM to show their support for action on climate change. The event began in Sydney in 2007, when 2 million people switched off their lights. In 2008, more than 50 million people around the globe participated. In 2009, participation swelled to hundreds of millions as 4159 cities, towns and municipalities in 88 countries and many of the world’s best known landmarks participated.

About WWF
WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.