WWF
Fire performer Tom Hastings warmed the night at a performance to celebrate Earth Hour at the University of KwaZulu-Natal s Howard College on Saturday. Picture: Hugh Mdlalose/WWF
Beeswax candles and paper-bag lanterns lit up the chilly Durban night on Saturday, when environmental activists gathered at the University of KwaZulu-Natal to observe Earth Hour.
More than 100 people gathered at the university’s Howard College for the switching off of the lights of one of Durban’s landmarks, the Memorial Tower Building.
Morné du Plessis, chief executive of environmental group WWF SA, said the gesture of switching the lights off was symbolic as a message to show people how easy it was to make a difference.
“Every hour is Earth Hour. We can live sustainably if we just make an effort,” he said.
It was the first time the event was held in Durban, which was chosen because it had hosted the 17th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change last year.
The crowd was treated to performances from “King of the Zulu guitar” Madala Kunene, Vishen Kemraj (tabla), Sazi Dlamini, and Mduduzi Magwaza (penny whistle).
Fire performer Tom Hastings also warmed the night, putting on an impressive show for guests, the media and the public.
According to the Earth Hour blog, landmarks that switched off or dimmed their lights across the UK included the Clock Tower and the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, EDF Energy London Eye, Wembley, the Royal Albert Hall, the National Gallery, Old Trafford, Clifton Suspension Bridge, Edinburgh Castle, the Millennium Centre and Piccadilly Circus.
Earth Hour 2012 took place in a record 150 countries and territories across 6 494 towns and cities
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