Cities around the world were turning their lights off Saturday as part of Earth Hour, with this year's theme highlighting the link between the destruction of nature and increasing outbreaks of diseases like COVID-19.
The big picture: From Australia, to America, cities switched landmark lights off for an hour at 8:30p.m. to mark global action on climate change. Organizer WWF said in a statement, "COVID-19 has given us a stark warning of the risks, vulnerabilities and inequalities of our interconnected systems."
The lights are out at @UN Headquarters building in New York City for #EarthHour!
It’s a symbol that together we can build a cleaner, safer & greener future for everyone, and small actions can make a big difference!#ClimateAction#Connect2Earthpic.twitter.com/DCM2xh1tQN
— Global Goals (@GlobalGoalsUN) March 28, 2021
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The Palace of Westminster, containing the House of Commons and House of Lords, takes part in Earth Hour in London, England. Photo: Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images
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The India Gate in New Delhi, India. Photo: Prakash Singh/AFP via Getty Images
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The Xi'an Bell Tower's lights are turned off in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China. Photo: Shang Hongtao/VCG via Getty Images
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A view of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, with the lights off. Photo: Baris Seckin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
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The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House are plunged into darkness in Australia. Photo: Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images
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A view from Red Square during Earth Hour in Moscow, Russia. Photo: Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
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Combination images of a view of the Puente de la Mujer at Puerto Madero neighborhood before (top) and after being submerged into darkness in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo: Alejandro Pagini/AFP via Getty Images
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This combination of pictures created on March 27, 2021 shows South Korea's number one national treasure Namdaemun gate before (top) and after (bottom) its lights went out for the Earth Hour environmental campaign in Seoul. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP) (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images