Region turns to dark side for Earth Hour (From The Northern Echo)

Region turns to dark side for Earth Hour

7:10pm Sunday 29th March 2009 in News By Mark Tallentire

LANDMARKS and homes were plunged into darkness and semi-darkness as the region joined a global effort to raise awareness of climate change.

Earth Hour, which took place between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Saturday, saw the lights go out on icons such as Durham Cathedral's tower, Newcastle's St James' Park and the Millennium Bridge on Tyneside.

A number of the region's councils, businesses, schools and MPs' offices also took part, along with householders.

Worldwide, the switch-off was said to have involved more than 3,400 towns and cities across 88 countries.

Organisers WWF wanted to draw attention to the problem of climate change and put pressure on world leaders to take tougher action to cut emissions.

Tara Duncan, Durham University's environment co-ordinator who watched the lights go out on Durham Castle and Cathedral, said: "Standing watching the lights go off was amazing.

"The skyline of Durham looked totally different without these iconic buildings illuminated."

Tara Duncan, Durham University's environment co-ordinator

"The skyline of Durham looked totally different without these iconic buildings illuminated.

"This action further demonstrates the university's commitment to tackling climate change."

Each time zone turned off the lights at 8.30pm local time, meaning the first switch offs took place in New Zealand and Australia, with Asia, Europe and later America following suit.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon backed the initiative, saying: "Earth Hour is a way for the citizens of the world to send a clear message - they want action on climate change."