Earth Hour: Landmarks plunged into darkness in support of climate change action

Buildings around the world are being plunged into darkness as millions support Earth Hour 2009, aimed at raising awareness of climate change.

Last Updated: 9:16AM BST 29 Mar 2009

At 8.30pm local time WWF is encouraging people to switch off their lights for one hour in a bid to raise awareness of environmental issues.
In Australia lights went out at Sydney's normally brightly-lit Opera House and Harbour Bridge

In Asia, lights at landmarks in China, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines also dimmed as people celebrated with candle-lit picnics and concerts.
In London landmarks including the London Eye, The Gherkin, and the BT Tower are expected to take part.
Hundreds of other landmarks around the world are expected to take part, including the Empire State Building and the Las Vegas Strip.
Earth Hour is aimed at showing global leaders the strong support for action to tackle climate change.
Activists have warned companies in the financial sector they will shut down electricity supplies themselves unless the lights go out.
Earth Hour comes on the same same day as police feared demonstrations across London ahead of next week's G20 summit could turn violent.
Activists had initially gathered along Victoria Embankment to stage a protest for "jobs, justice and climate". Just after noon, they began their four-mile march to Hyde Park, with most marchers arriving at about 2pm.
Some protesters chanted: "What do we want? Jobs not bombs". Many carried banners bearing slogans including "People before profit'', "Money for need not greed'' and "Climate emergency".
Demonstrators whistled and booed as they made their way past 10 Downing Street along Whitehall.
Glen Tarman, who has helped organise the march, said he had no evidence that anyone intended to break the law or commit acts of violence.
Murray Benham, head of campaigns at the World Development Movement, said: "The cost of the summit is clearly incredibly high.
"The only possible justification for this expenditure will be if the G20 leaders make the bold moves necessary to make the global economy work for people in the developing world, who are being hit the hardest by the credit crunch and climate change."
Further direct action is feared next week with police leave in the capital cancelled on Wednesday and Thursday, when campaigners are planning disruptions around the City's Square Mile.