More localities set to join ‘Earth Hour'

HCM CITY — Eighteen cities and provinces in Viet Nam have registered to join this year's global Earth Hour campaign, compared with just five cities last year.

"Last year we exceeded our expectations in the number of Vietnamese cities and regions participating, and we are on our way to exceeding this year's as well," said Julianne Becker, communications manager for the World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) Viet Nam.

Earth Hour global organisers have said that there are currently more than 1,100 cities and towns from 92 countries and territories that have signed up to switch their lights off for an hour beginning 8.30pm on Saturday, March 27 – 100 more than last year.

Earth Hour is an opportunity for the global community to speak in one voice on the issue of climate change, while at the same time coming together in celebration of the one thing every single person on the planet has in common – the planet, said the WWF, which initiated the event three years ago.

"Whether it's joining the huge celebration planned in front of the Opera House in HCM City or hosting a lights out party in your own home, we encourage everybody across the country to be a part of this important and historic occasion," Julianne Becker said.

"Turn off your lights, celebrate the planet, enjoy the moment and think about the future of our living planet," she added.

Earth Hour has boomed from a one city, one country event in 2007 to nearly half the world's nations, and many of its largest cities and iconic landmarks make a statement for a more secure and safer future. — VNS