Environment Pollution Cutting the Lights Off Around the World for Earth Hour By Catie Leary Catie Leary Writer and Photographer Georgia State University Catie Leary writes and curates visual stories about science, animals, the arts, travel, and the natural world. Learn about our editorial process Updated November 15, 2020 Share Twitter Pinterest Email Environment Planet Earth Climate Crisis Pollution Recycling & Waste Natural Disasters Transportation Marianna Massey/Getty Images for WWF Australia Lights out for the Earth A mural of candles depicting the World Wildlife Fund panda and the Earth Hour logo is lit on March 31, 2012, in the foreground of the Sydney Opera House as the lights are switched off for Earth Hour in Australia. Landmarks around the globe turned off their lights for 60 minutes during Earth Hour, an annual environmental event organized to send a message for global action on climate change. Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/12/2689553/miami-seaquarium-releases-to-recovered.html#storylink=cpy * * * Sydney's Luna Park goes dark In this composite image, the entrance to Luna Park Sydney is seen before and after the lights are switched off for Earth Hour in Sydney. The annual eco-event kicked off for the first time in 2007 when more than 2.2 million residents of Sydney turned off their lights in a call to action conceived by the World Wildlife Fund and the Sydney Morning Herald. Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/12/2689553/miami-seaquarium-releases-to-recovered.html#storylink=cpy * * * The City of Light dims down WWF panda figurines are placed in front of the Eiffel Tower, which is seen before and after the start of Earth Hour in this composite photo taken in the evening of March 31 in Paris. Since its humble beginnings, Earth Hour has grown larger each year, the event is now observed in homes, skyscrapers, government buildings and public landmarks in more than 5,000 cities in 172 countries across the globe. Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/12/2689553/miami-seaquarium-releases-to-recovered.html#storylink=cpy * * * São Paulo opts for a low power hour The Octavio Frias de Oliveira bridge, which straddles the Pinheiros River in São Paulo, Brazil, is seen in this composite image with its lights on and its lights off during Earth Hour on March 31.