Lights off for enlightening: Environmental protection

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Hundreds of millions of people switched off lights around the world on Saturday evening to show their commitment to environmental protection and to call for greater action on climate change.

More than 3,100 buildings in over 200 cities around China turned off their lights between 20:30 - 21:30 on Saturday evening. In Shanghai, the most famous landmark, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower turned off lights and held several activities to promote environmental protection awareness among the visitors, especially the younger generation.

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower before and after its lights were switched off. /CGTN Photo

Started by the World Wide Fund for Nature in Sydney in 2007, the event is held annually to encourage individuals, communities and businesses to turn off non-essential electrical lights for one hour, from 20:30 to 21:30 on the last Saturday of March, as a symbolic gesture to show the need for stronger climate action.

The movement encourages people to not only support climate projects as in previous years, but to also help in spreading the word by 'donating their social power' and taking a stand against climate change on their own personal landmark - their social media posts and influence.

Children participate in activities held for the Earth Hour. /CGTN Photo‍

The theme for the 2018 Earth Hour is “Let Nature Shine”. Apart from switching off the lights, people could also participate in many concurrent initiatives to realize a solar-powered city and adopt a sustainable lifestyle to protect biodiversity across the planet.

At the grand hall of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower in Shanghai, activities were held by an education organization to help kids develop their concept of environmental protection, including making environmentally friendly soap out of wasted cooking oil, understanding the basic mechanisms of robots, AI and unmanned cars.