| Lyna Mohamad |
SKYLINES around the world went dark at 8.30pm local time last night as millions marked WWF’s Earth Hour, a movement aimed at sparking global awareness and action on preserving nature and the environment.
From the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building, to Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, thousands of landmarks worldwide switched off their lights in solidarity for the planet and in a symbolic move urging individuals, businesses and governments globally to move forward the conversations and solutions we need to build a healthy and sustainable future for all.
Beginning as a symbolic ‘lights out’ event in Sydney in 2007, this year’s Earth Hour was celebrated in more than 188 countries and territories across the globe.
Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas (as the focal point location) and the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Bridge joined the rest of the world in participating in the global initiative for the second time, switching off their lights for an hour last night alongside the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex and Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque.
Here in Brunei Darussalam, Earth Hour is connecting the dots between climate change and biodiversity, and focus on forest and energy/climate action.
“Biodiversity forms the foundation of healthy forests, rivers and oceans. Take away [world’s] species, and these ecosystems will collapse along with the clean air, water, food and climate services that they provide us,” said Country Manager of Earth Hour Brunei Mohd Rimey. “Quite simply, we need nature to survive and thrive so that people can live in a sustainable future.
“WWF’s Earth Hour has helped bring climate action from global conferences to people’s homes since 2007, and it is now the time to do the same for nature and biodiversity, which underpin the well-being and prosperity of people everywhere on Earth.”
