Lights off, as Kremlin marks Earth Hour

Yesterday the Russian President’s Kremlin residence and government house switched off the lights from 20:30 to 21:30 MSK, with nothing but the presidential standard in the Kremlin and Government House national flag illuminated.

This was announced by press secretary of the presidential administration Viktor Khrekov. 

Earth Hour is an annual international event of the World Wildlife Fund, calling on people to show concern for the environment and address world climate change issues. All participants of the campaign traditionally switch off the lights and electrical appliances on the last Saturday in March at 20:30 local time for one hour. However, this year the event takes place a week earlier, as Western Christians mark Holy Saturday on March 30.

The very first Earth Hour, held in Sydney in 2007, had 2.2 million participants. Gradually it became a global action. Last year 150 countries and an estimated 2 billion people took part.

In Russia, Earth Hour will be held for the fifth time.

WWF maintains Earth Hour is not about saving energy, but about raising awareness.