Several Belgian cities will be plunged into darkness on Saturday 22 March for Earth Hour, an initiative of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). A fire show will light up the heart of Brussels for the occasion.
From the Sydney Opera House and the Eiffel Tower in Paris to the Atomium in Brussels, iconic monuments all over the world will be cloaked in darkness at 20:30 on Saturday. This annual symbolic action to raise awareness of the fight against climate change is organised by WWF, together with the participating cities. In Belgium, Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Mechelen and Genk will be participating.
"Earth Hour is a strong symbolic signal with which we, as the City of Brussels, are once again demonstrating our commitment to the climate," said Frederik Ceulemans (Open VLD), the city's climate councillor. "Today, more than ever, we must step up our efforts to build a sustainable, climate-neutral city."
For this occasion, the City of Brussels will organise a fire show on the Grand Place from 20:30 to 22:30. "As the European capital, Brussels has a pioneering role to play. Not only will we turn off the lights, but we will also provide a unique moment of solidarity and reflection through an impressive spectacle on the most beautiful square in the world," Ceulemans said.
Taking action at home
The Brussels transport operator STIB/MIVB is also joining the WWF's campaign and will dim the lights in 20 of the 69 Brussels metro and premetro stations.
"There will still be enough light to offer travellers sufficient visibility," spokesperson Laurent Vermeersch said. "The symbolic action will save approximately 470 kWh, which corresponds to the monthly electricity consumption of approximately 1.6 Brussels families."
Residents can participate in this worldwide action by turning off their lights at home. WWF also invites citizens to devote this hour to positive action for the planet.
It would like to "collect hours for the planet" in a bank of hours. Last year, Earth Hour collected more than 1.5 million hours. "That represents 178 years for nature in just one hour," the non-profit said in a statement. The action also wants to give visibility to all people who are permanently committed to making the planet a healthier place.
Other free activities will be organised in Belgium, such as running sessions, an exhibition on wolves at the Aquascope in Virelles (Hainaut province) and ArboFest, a festival aimed at strengthening the link with the forest in the province of Limburg.
