Australia, already the driest inhabited continent on earth, is expected to be particularly hard hit by global warming and has already claimed a world first in fighting climate change.

The government announced last month that traditional incandescent light bulbs would be phased out by 2010 in favour of the more fuel-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.

Now Australia is set for another first when Sydney, the country’s largest city will be plunged into darkness for an hour on Saturday in an attempt at a world first blackout to raise awareness of global warming. The only lights deliberately left on will be those connected with public safety, such as streetlights.

“Earth Hour“, which begins at 7:30 pm (0930 GMT) on March 31st, has been planned for 10 months by WWF in partnership with city authorities, businesses and a major newspaper group. Schools businesses and households are signing up and taking part.

Many will take part in events taking place on the night or are organizing their own celebrations.

Commit to Earth Hour - Celebrate at an event

Get the neighbours together for a BBQ or head out to your local park for the hour. Take some binoculars and look at the stars. Or just go for a stroll. Talk with your family and friends about the state of our planet and the need to make a change to keep the place we live the way we need it to be.

Do something non-electric as a family ? have a picnic or a have a candlelit dinner ? but most importantly enjoy!

A successful power-out could then be copied by major cities around the world in a drive to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions blamed for climate change, according to international conservation group WWF. Watch the WWF video Sydney to send message to the world on global warming at this link.
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