Bangkok to shine a little less brightly for ‘Earth Hour’

ABOVE:Bangkok – Rayong seaboard as seen from the International Space Station in December, 2010. Photo: NASA

Can you go dark for one hour?

Bangkok’s biggest landmarks including the Grand Palace, Temple of Dawn, Giant Swing, and Rama IX bridge will turn their lights off for one hour Saturday evening to recognize Earth Hour.

City officials said they will also adjust lighting on busy streets such as Silom, Ratchadapisek, Khao San, Yaowarat and New Petchburi roads for the annual event which invites people to turn off non-essential lights and devices from 8:30:pm to 9:30pm on March 28.

Deputy Governor Jumpol Sumpaopol said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in cooperation with FEED Thailand, WWF Thailand and government and private agencies will host activities to promote energy efficiency, lower carbon emissions and awareness of climate change.

A cycling and tree planting event is underway and an exhibition on global climate change can be found at Central World through Friday.

In 2014 the city estimates Earth Hour resulted in saving 1,768 megawatts, the equivalent of 947 tons of carbon dioxide, saving THB6.76 million, according to state media.