Lights out for the planet: India and the world unite for Earth Hour; watch videos from across the globe

Cities across India, along with countries around the world, observed Earth Hour on Saturday night by turning off their lights from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm, aiming to raise awareness about environmental conservation.

Several iconic landmarks in India participated in the event, including the India Gate and Qutub Minar in Delhi, and the Dr. BR Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat in Hyderabad. The Kerala Assembly Building also took part in this global initiative, turning off its lights to show solidarity for the cause.



Earth Hour, originally a lights-out event in Sydney, Australia, in 2007, has since expanded into a global movement, involving millions of people across more than 190 countries.

Organised by the World Wide Fund (WWF), Earth Hour encourages individuals, businesses, and governments to take action in support of environmental sustainability.


Notable landmarks worldwide, such as the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, the Sydney Opera House, and the Empire State Building, also participated by switching off their lights for the hour, with Rashtrapati Bhawan in India joining the ranks of prominent buildings worldwide.



This year's Earth Hour coincided with World Water Day, and WWF-India chose the theme "Be Water Wise" to highlight the critical link between energy and water conservation.

As the climate crisis deepens, rising temperatures are exacerbating water shortages, making the need for both water and energy conservation more urgent than ever.


Earth Hour is a reminder that beyond simply saving energy for one hour, we must make conscious choices every day to secure a sustainable future.

The event also underscores the power of collective action. Last year, Delhi residents demonstrated their commitment by saving 206 MW of power during Earth Hour, with significant contributions from BSES areas, which alone accounted for 130 MW.

BSES urged its 50 lakh-plus consumers and 2 crore residents in Delhi to switch off non-essential lights and appliances, with expectations of surpassing last year’s figures. As the climate crisis accelerates, Delhi's participation reflects its role as not just a passive observer, but as a leader in the fight against climate change.


The United Nations also showed its support by turning off the lights at the UN Headquarters in New York City, and millions of people around the globe joined the initiative, signalling a unified call for greater efforts to protect the planet.


This collective global action highlights Earth Hour's impact, which has driven significant legislative changes and remains a powerful symbol of environmental awareness and activism.