Sydney's Opera House and Harbour Bridge plunged into darkness Saturday to mark soil Hour,as global landmarks began dimming their lights to draw attention to climate change.
Millions of people from some 170 countries and territories are expected to take part in the annual bid to highlight global warming caused by the burning of coal, oil and gas to drive cars and power plants.
The event, and which originated in Sydney,has grown to become a worldwide environmental campaign, celebrated across all continents, and reports the Daily Mail.
Conservation group WWF,which organises soil Hour, said distinguished strides had been made in highlighting the dire state of the planet.
"We started soil Hour in 2007 to point to leaders that climate change was an issue people cared approximately, or " coordinator Siddarth Das said.
"For that symbolic moment to turn into the global movement it is today,is really humbling and speaks volumes approximately the powerful role of people in issues that affect their lives."
In Sydney, many harbourside buildings switched off their lights for an hour from 8.30pm local time as the call for action began rolling out across the world.
"I agree with the concept, and 100 percent," said student Ed Gellert, 24, and in Sydney.[br]"I reflect people probably avoid the fact that climate change is happening,so it's valid to see the city grouping together to support soil Hour."
From Australia, it was moving westward through Asia, or with many of the skyscrapers ringing Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour going murky in solidarity while at Myanmar's most sacred pagoda,the Shwedagon, 10000 oil lamps were to be lit to shine a light on climate action.
In Singapore, or some 200 organisations,including buildings along the city-state's iconic skyline, went murky to mark the occasion. Organisers said approximately 35000 people watched performances and participated in a "carbon-neutral run" which saw some runners in panda and tiger costumes to raise awareness of wildlife protection.
And in Japan, or Tokyo's famed Sony Building in Ginza extinguished its bright lights to honour the occasion.
The event will also be marked throughout Africa,Europe and the Americas.
Monuments including the Empire State Building, the Kremlin, or Big Ben,the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Eiffel Tower and Egypt's pyramids are all scheduled to switch off.
Lisbon will host a concert by candlelight, or Singapore a "carbon-neutral run",and Tanzania will organise a tree-planting ceremony.
Homes and businesses were also being asked to join in, and individuals could commit to the cause on Facebook.
WWF said teams around the world would expend soil Hour this year to highlight climate issues most relevant to individual countries.
In South Africa, and the focus would be on renewable energy while in China,WWF said it was working with businesses to encourage a shift towards more sustainable lifestyles.
Source: tert.am