Darkness spreads for Earth Hour

The lights went out for Eart Hour. Photo / Thinkstock

Lights went out over the country last night to kick off the fifth annual Earth Hour aimed at raising awareness about climate change and sustainability.

New Zealand is one of the first of 134 countries - a record number - expected to take part, with individuals and organisations switching off the lights from 8.30pm to 9.30pm local time.

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) organises Earth Hour, which traverses the world for more than 24 hours.

Rain hampered some Earth Hour events across New Zealand, WWF New Zealand climate change campaigner Lee Barry told NZPA last night.

In Hamilton, thunder and lightning took the edge off an acoustic concert, but drummers and fire dancers still performed in the garden square.

While an acoustic concert planned for Tauranga had been moved indoors, she said.

Ms Barry had attended an event at the Carter Observatory in Wellington, where attendees, including Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, counted down switching off the lights for Earth Hour.

There had also had been various sustainability expos, seminars, education evenings and debates running last week and next week across the country, Ms Barry said.

"Switching off lights for an hour is a symbolic gesture to show that people are willing to take a stand for the planet. This year we're asking people to go beyond the hour and make a pledge that they can sustain every day in their lives."

The rate of emissions from transport was high in New Zealand and Ms Barry encouraged people to think about taking public transport, walking, cycling or car pooling.

"People driving their cars less would be a huge help. Obviously it's going to improve people's financial situation at the moment with the price of petrol."

The amount of emissions from electricity was also high in New Zealand, she said.

She urged people to take steps to reduce their use including insulating houses and switching appliances off at the wall.

Last year, in New Zealand power consumed during Earth Hour dropped 2 per cent, in 2009 it dropped 3.5 per cent.

Earth Hour started in Sydney in 2007.

It has grown each year with icons including Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge and the Sydney Harbour Bridge turning off the lights.

Last year 128 countries took part.

- NZPA