Monas and World Landmarks Turn off Lights to Mark Earth Hour

Observation of Earth Hour at the National Monument (Monas ) Jakarta.

Jakarta, 10 Jumadil Akhir 1437/20 March 2016 (MINA) – The National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta turned off its lights at 8.30 p.m. on Saturday evening as it participated in the global Earth Hour program.

Based on Antaras monitoring on Saturday evening, the officers of the Jakarta landmark switched off the lights around the Monas square. Office buildings around Monas also switched off their lights.

The Earth Hour was observed throughout the world in 24 time zones and five continents at 8.30 p.m. local time on Saturday, March 19, 2016. The lights remained off till 9.30 p.m. local time everywhere.

In 178 countries and territories around the world Saturday, millions of people are turning off their lights for Earth Hour, an annual event to highlight the global threat from climate change. Some 350 world landmarks including the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower will go dark for 60 minutes starting at 8:30 pm. local time Saturday.

This year’s theme celebrates “Places We Love” — the mountains, rivers, beaches, reefs, forests and national parks that organizers say are in peril from climate change.

Earth Hour is hoping to harness momentum for climate change after world leaders reached a landmark accord in December to lower planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions.

The aim of the Earth Hour program is to highlight the need to adopt an energy efficient lifestyle. It achieves this purpose by turning off lamps and electronic devices for one hour.

It is a public campaign undertaken towards the end of March every year. Indonesia has been taking part in it since 2008. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)