Activists stand in front of the Brandenburg Gate, a moment prior the switch off of the illumination, to mark Earth Hour in Berlin, Germany, 23 March 2024. Earth Hour takes place worldwide at 8. 30 p. m. local time and is a global call to cut emissions by switching off lights for 60 minutes to raise awareness of the fight against global climatic change. The signs read 'protect climate' (L) and 'strengthen democracy'. EPA / HANNIBAL HANSCHKE
Activists stand in front of the Brandenburg Gate, a moment prior the switch off of the illumination, to mark Earth Hour in Berlin, Germany, 23 March 2024. Earth Hour takes place worldwide at 8. 30 p. m. local time and is a global call to cut emissions by switching off lights for 60 minutes to raise awareness of the fight against global climatic change. The signs read 'protect climate' (L) and 'strengthen democracy'. EPA / HANNIBAL HANSCHKE
Museum of the Future in Dubai goes lights off during Earth Hour. Leslie Pableo for The National
Museum of the Future in Dubai goes lights off during Earth Hour. Leslie Pableo for The National
Acropolis hill with floodlights switched off during 'Earth Hour' in Athens, Greece. EPA
Acropolis hill with floodlights switched off during 'Earth Hour' in Athens, Greece. EPA
A view of the Sydney Opera House after lights were switched off. Reuters
A view of the Sydney Opera House after lights were switched off. Reuters
Paris' Eiffel Tower with the lights off during the Earth Hour environmental campaign. AFP
Paris' Eiffel Tower with the lights off during the Earth Hour environmental campaign. AFP
The Puente de la Mujer bridge is pictured with its lights turned off during the Earth Hour environmental campaign at Puerto Madero neighborhood in Buenos Aires. AFP
The Puente de la Mujer bridge is pictured with its lights turned off during the Earth Hour environmental campaign at Puerto Madero neighborhood in Buenos Aires. AFP
A view shows St Alexander Nevsky cathedral as the lights are being turned off for Earth Hour, in Sofia, Bulgaria. Reuters
A view shows St Alexander Nevsky cathedral as the lights are being turned off for Earth Hour, in Sofia, Bulgaria. Reuters
A drone view shows the ruins of the ancient Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill with the lights turned off during Earth Hour, in Athens, Greece. Reuters
A drone view shows the ruins of the ancient Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill with the lights turned off during Earth Hour, in Athens, Greece. Reuters
A large advertising screen in Piccadilly Circus is turned off to mark Earth Hour, London, Britain. Reuters
A large advertising screen in Piccadilly Circus is turned off to mark Earth Hour, London, Britain. Reuters
The Palace of Culture in Warsaw switched off to mark the Earth Hour environmental campaign organized by the World Wild Fund for Nature . AFP
The Palace of Culture in Warsaw switched off to mark the Earth Hour environmental campaign organized by the World Wild Fund for Nature . AFP
The Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, next to the Hohenzollern railway bridge across the river Rhine, is partly illuminated during Earth Hour in Cologne, Germany, March 23, 2024. REUTERS / Jana Rodenbusch
The Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, next to the Hohenzollern railway bridge across the river Rhine, is partly illuminated during Earth Hour in Cologne, Germany, March 23, 2024. REUTERS / Jana Rodenbusch
Lights at the Colosseum are switched off for the Earth Hour environmental campaign in Rome, Italy. EPA
Lights at the Colosseum are switched off for the Earth Hour environmental campaign in Rome, Italy. EPA
A general view of Azadi (Freedom) tower after its light is switched off during the world Earth Hour in Tehran, Iran. EPA
A general view of Azadi (Freedom) tower after its light is switched off during the world Earth Hour in Tehran, Iran. EPA
The Telangana State Secretariat building is pictured with its lights switched off during the Earth Hour environmental campaign in Hyderabad. AFP
The Telangana State Secretariat building is pictured with its lights switched off during the Earth Hour environmental campaign in Hyderabad. AFP
The Prambanan Temple, one of the largest Hindu temples in Southeast Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is pictured with its lights off during the Earth Hour environmental campaign in Yogyakarta. AFP
The Prambanan Temple, one of the largest Hindu temples in Southeast Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is pictured with its lights off during the Earth Hour environmental campaign in Yogyakarta. AFP
A man walks past the Phoenix Center after its lights are turned off for the Earth Hour environmental campaign in Beijing. AFP
A man walks past the Phoenix Center after its lights are turned off for the Earth Hour environmental campaign in Beijing. AFP
The shadows of people are casted on a wall with the message 'Give an Hour for Earth' at a gathering to mark the Earth Hour environmental campaign in Manila. AFP
The shadows of people are casted on a wall with the message 'Give an Hour for Earth' at a gathering to mark the Earth Hour environmental campaign in Manila. AFP
The landmark building Taipei 101 is seen with its lights switched off to mark the Earth Hour environmental campaign in Taipei. AFP
The landmark building Taipei 101 is seen with its lights switched off to mark the Earth Hour environmental campaign in Taipei. AFP
Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers (L) and KL Tower (R) are illuminated before their lights are turned off to mark the Earth Hour environmental campaign in Kuala Lumpur. AFP
Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers (L) and KL Tower (R) are illuminated before their lights are turned off to mark the Earth Hour environmental campaign in Kuala Lumpur. AFP

Climate

Environment

World's best-known landmarks power down for Earth Hour

Burj Khalifa, Big Ben and Eiffel Tower switch off lights for 60 minutes supporting environmental action

The National

March 23, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

Landmarks across the world went dark on Saturday to mark this year's Earth Hour.

Buildings including Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, the Sydney Opera House and the Colosseum in Rome switched off their lights for the global event.

In the UAE, Dubai's Museum of the Future and the Burj Khalifa also joined in the day of environmental action.

READ MORE

Earth Hour 2024: Ten environmentally themed novels to read

Earth Hour, spearheaded by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), urges supporters to symbolically switch off and 'give an hour for Earth’, spending 60 minutes doing something positive for our planet

These activities include turning off their lights for one hour, signing a petition, sharing energy saving tips or supporting wildlife.

WWF said that last year saw the biggest Earth Hour since its launch in 2007, with more than 410,000 hours given to the planet by supporters in 190 countries and territories

António Guterres, the Secretary General of the UN, on Friday asked for people around the world to participate.

“On Earth Hour, millions of people around the world switch off the lights to shine a light on the plight of our planet,” he said in a video message.

“This year, I invite you to be one of them. The need is urgent,” Mr Guterres stressed.

He pointed out that global climate is collapsing, as last year was the hottest ever.

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed

Based: Muscat

Launch year: 2018

Number of employees: 40

Sector: Online food delivery

Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception 

Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458. 

Updated: March 24, 2024, 9:05 AM`
EnvironmentClimate change