Earth Hour extends to space for first time

The global event, launched in 2008 by the WWF and Leo Burnett, sees individuals, businesses and governments coming together to turn out lights for one hour on 31 March to show support for an environmentally sustainable future.

Iconic landmarks, including the Great Wall of China, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, Beijing’s Bird’s Nest, the Tokyo Tower and Taipei 101, will switch off their lights as part of the event.

The event in Singapore will also seek to earn a place in the Singapore Book of Records with a human formation in the words ‘60+ SINGAPORE'—a reference to the hour of 

The aim is to promote Earth Hour 2012’s campaign message of going beyond switching out lights for just one hour and proactively undertaking sustainable action to protect the environment for the years ahead.

Earth Hour will be extending to the International Space Station for the first time, where astronaut and WWF ambassador Andre Kuipers will experience Earth Hour watching over the planet from the European Space Agency (ESA).

Andy Ridley, co-founder and executive director of Earth Hour, said, “In 2012, Earth Hour is reaching further and wider than ever before and these landmarks will provide a visually spectacular reminder of what can be done when individuals, organisations and governments act together.”