Lights go out on landmarks for Earth Hour 2021

The world’s largest grassroots environment event starts at 8:30 pm tonight (27 March). Photo: WWF-Aus.

Old Parliament House and Canberra’s iconic telecommunications spire, Telstra Tower, will be among the ACT landmarks blacking out tonight as part of Earth Hour.

The lights will go out at 8:30 pm as part of the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment.

This year, one-in-three Australians are expected to participate in the symbolic ‘switch off’ event, including 410 schools, organisations and individuals who have registered to take part in the ACT.

Several government departments are also going dark, including the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and Geoscience Australia.

Earth Hour coordinator Jasmine Ledger said she was thrilled by the level of participation, particularly given organisers weren’t actively encouraging events during the pandemic.

“This year, we want to inspire Australians to make small switches in their daily life to support Australia’s transition to renewable energy,” she said.

“Whether it’s switching to a solar energy provider, switching to a responsible superannuation provider or simply switching to reusable everyday items, we can all be making changes to help reduce emissions and protect our unique flora and fauna.

“With climate change accelerating biodiversity loss, WWF-Australia is encouraging people to sign up and make the #switchfornature to support Australia’s switch to a renewables-based economy and reduce our contribution to global emissions.”

WWF-Australia claims just one household making the switch to solar power is the same as taking five cars off the road.

According to WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O’Gorman, “The act of switching off our lights for one hour has always been a show of solidarity for stronger action on climate”.

Ms Ledger said the best places in the ACT to watch the lights go out were the Telstra Tower in Acton, Lake Burley Griffin (for city views including Telstra Tower), Mount Ainslie Lookout and 7 London Circuit in the Canberra CBD.