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People around the world will turn off the lights at 8:30 p.m. tonight - here's why

Jeremy Berke   

People around the world will turn off the lights at 8:30 p.m. tonight - here's why
Science2 min read

Earth Hour Bangkok

REUTERS/Jorge Silva

Combination picture shows the Grand Palace before (L) and during Earth Hour in Bangkok March 19, 2016.

At 8:30 p.m. (local time), the world is going to turn off the lights for an hour.

The reason? It's Earth Hour

This year, Earth Hour aims to capitalize on the excitement generated by the historic climate talks in Paris this past November.

"Earth Hour reminds us that while people are on the front line of climate change, they are also our first line of defense. Our actions today, as individuals and the global community, have the power to transform what the world will look like for generations to come," Siddarth Das, Earth Hour's Global executive director, said in a statement via  Reuters

Tokyo Earth Hour

REUTERS/Thomas Peter

A general view of central Tokyo is seen during Earth Hour with the Tokyo Tower at the centre with its lights switched off, Japan, March 19, 2016.

Earth Hour is an ongoing campaign started by the World Wildlife Federation to raise awareness for climate change issues around the world.

The first Earth Hour was held in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. Since then, it has exploded across the world. In 2015, 172 countries participated by shutting the lights for a full hour.

Already, cities around the world are unplugging as the clock strikes 8:30 p.m. local time:

 

 

 And here you can see the highlights from 2015:

NOW WATCH: Devastating photos show lakes vanishing around the world

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