Saturday, March 27 will mark the fourth observation of Earth Hour, providing citizens, businesses and communities around the world an opportunity to show their support for action on climate change by turning off their lights for one hour at 8:30 p.m., local time. This year’s event, stretching from Mongolia to Argentina, from the Arctic to Antarctica, the Cook Islands to Russia and across the United States, promises to be bigger than ever.

Since the first Earth Hour was observed in Sydney, Australia, participation has grown from 2 million in 2007, to 50 million in 2008, to 1 billion in 2009. With 4,088 cities and towns in 88 countries participating last year, Earth Hour 2009 became the largest public demonstration for action on climate change in history.

earth-hour-2010-2Earth Hour 2010 is already poised to break last year’s record, with more than 100 countries and territories  pledged to participate — a number that is growing daily. Increasingly, Earth Hour is cutting beyond political debates and reflecting the  greater mainstream concern that the problem of climate change remains unresolved and that the desire to address it is growing rather than weakening.

As in years past, Earth Hour 2010 will see hundreds of millions of people gather in parks, streets, town squares and homes around the world to witness the lights going out on iconic landmarks and city skylines, while taking in the atmosphere of some truly unique Earth Hour events.

Andy Ridley, Earth Hour’s Executive Director and Co-Founder said:

Earth Hour demonstrates the determination of the world’s citizens for a better healthier world. It brings together cities, communities, businesses and individuals on the journey to positive action on climate change.”

“Whether it’s joining your community in a town square to watch the city lights go dark or hosting a lights out party in your own home, I encourage everybody across the world to be a part of this important and historic occasion. Turn off your lights, celebrate the planet, enjoy the moment and think about the future of our living planet.”

Earth Hour 2010 has the potential to once again capture the hearts and minds of people across the planet. Archbishop Desmond Tutu:

Climate change is the greatest human induced crisis facing the world today. It is totally indiscriminate of race, culture and religion. It affects every human being on the planet,”.

“Earth Hour is an opportunity for every man, woman and child from all corners of the globe to unite and show the world that by working together we can win the battle against global warming,”

“Earth Hour is an opportunity for the global community to speak in one voice on the issue of climate change, while at the same time coming together in celebration of the one thing every single person on the planet has in common – the planet.”

Earth Hour is a global initiative of the World Wildlife Fund. To learn more, visit Earth Hour or the World Wildlife Fund.