In early 2007, WWF-Australia proposed a simple plan to combat the world's most prominent environmental threat: global warming, and urged residents of the Australian city of Sydney to take a collective stand under a novel initiative dubbed Earth Hour.
The message was clear and simple: switch off all lights and electrical appliances for just one hour; the result was nothing short of iconic.
On March 31 2007, at precisely 7:30pm, 2.2 million Sydney residents plunged into darkness by switching off their lights, computers and household appliances to voice their support for this unique campaign.
Some flocked outdoors and basked in the moonlight, while others hosted candlelight gatherings and picnics.
More than 65,000 people and 2,000 businesses had registered their participation prior to the event on Earth Hour's website but an online WWF-Australia report said a projected 57 per cent of Sydney residents actually took part in the event.
Even some of the most recognised landmarks across the city faded to darkness, including the usually shimmering Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.
Local and international businesses flicked off the lights as well. Sydney's familiar Coca-Cola sign and 90 McDonald's golden arches were dimmed, as were the lights in 283 government buildings.
But was it all worth it?
The expected reduction in energy use during Earth Hour was set at 5 per cent, but actual figures according to Energy Australia were more than double that at an impressive 10.2 per cent.
WWF-Australia's website says the energy saved during Earth Hour is equivalent to taking 48,613 cars off the roads for an hour, or switching off 200,000 standard televisions for an hour. That represents a collective reduction of carbon emissions by 25 tonnes.
And with that, Earth Hour was declared a resounding success by both the organisers and the city of Sydney.
But perhaps the most valuable triumph was the exposure this issue received, as when Sydney switched off, the world took notice.
Now, Earth hour has gone global. With over 24 flagship cities including Dubai, Chicago, Bangkok and Toronto and with the support of millions of people around the world, Earth Hour urges the world to turn out the lights on March 27, 2009 and come closer to winning the fight against global warming.
