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Despite a recent bloody coup that ousted dictator Muammar el-Qaddafi from power, and amid continued political unrest in the lead-up to elections in mid 2012, a good news story is emerging from war-torn Libya.

Two teenagers are teaming up to organise the troubled country’s Earth Hour celebrations for March 31 this year.

In mid-March, nineteen-year-old Mohammad Nattah contacted Earth Hour Global about coordinating Earth Hour in his nation’s capital, Tripoli. At the same time another Libyan teenager, Muhammad Bugashata created the Earth Hour Libya Facebook group, with around 100 Likes.

Neither was aware of each other’s efforts until Earth Hour put them in contact with one another:

“Today I met Muhammad Nattah and what a great meeting it was,” Bugashata said. “We’ve formed a team, and I'm glad to tell you Libya is ready for Earth Hour 2012."

The duo are planning Libya’s first ever Earth Hour event, which will see the lights switched off in the former King’s Castle, now the National Museum.

To help organise the event, Nattah and Bugashata have already enlisted the support of the Regiment Coast for Scouts and Guides, in cooperation with the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy, the Environment Public Authority, and the Council of Tripoli. The big switch-off party will be open to all people and civil society organizations. The duo hope for a crowd of more than 600 Libyans to turn up.

Nattah and Bugashata have also confirmed that there will be event celebrations at the Red Saraya Museum and Martyrs' Square - the site where thousands of men, women, and children celebrated the end of the Qaddafi regime. With the help of the local scout team, Libya's second biggest city Benghazi will also take part with lights turning off at Al Daawa al-Islamiyah Trade building, Tebisty Hotel, and Keash Square.

But Nattah and Bugashata remain optimistic:

"It's a bit difficult to organize such an event in a place that just got out of war, but we're spreading the word and we're getting really good feedback,” Bugashata says.

“Libya is not an exception of the world...we will switch off for the next generation."

Andy Ridley, the co-founder of Earth Hour, says the young Libyans’ single visioned determination to do something for the planet in the face of enormous obstacles, is testament to their courage, passion, and the clever use of social media.

“For the first time in history people have the power to unite behind a common purpose,” Ridley says. “This inspiring story emerging from Libya shows that if you believe in something strongly enough, you can achieve amazing things.”

For more information and intereview requests please contact:

Rebecca George, Earth Hour Global, Rebecca@earthhour.org +61 421 988 035

Benjamin Vozzo, Earth Hour Global, Benjamin@earthhour.org +61 415 194 219