World marks Earth Hour 2013

Cities around the globe were going dark for an hour on Saturday evening as part of an initiative called "Earth Hour 2013," an event to raise awareness of climate change.        

It was organized by conservation group World Wildlife Fund (WWF).                  

In more than 7,000 cities and towns across the planet, (m) millions of residents turned off their lights for an hour from 8:30 to 9:30 pm local time to show their environmental concern and encourage people to lower their energy use.                             

In Vatican City, the landmark Saint Peter's Basilica went dark while an event organized by the WWF at the Spanish Steps of the Italian capital Rome was attracting a large crowd.                            

"Doing that (Earth Hour) we show that we are all connected. Our life is connected with the life of people living abroad, is connected with life of polar bears in the Arctic world. I think that is an incredible and very important event," said Isabella Pratesi, Conservation Director for WWF Italy.                       

In the French capital Paris, the WWF and the Town Council switched off the lights of the Eiffel Tower, while in London, United Kingdom, the Palace of Westminster went dark.             

Russia's capital Moscow participated in the campaign for the first time, with the Kremlin's lights being turned off.In the West Bank, lights went off at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, the building which is traditionally considered to be located on the site which marks the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth.


APTN