Mar 24 2009
The Sphinx and the Great Pyramids of Giza, icons of ancient splendor, will stand as modern day symbols for action on climate change as they become the most ancient of numerous monuments to go dark for Earth Hour.
Five thousand years after their completion, Egypt’s Great Pyramids join around 2,400 cities and towns in 82 countries that will turn off their lights for Earth Hour at 8:30 p.m. local time on Saturday.
“Climate Change is a growing international crisis no country can afford to overlook,” said Egypt’s First Lady, Suzanne Mubarak.
“Global warming negatively impacts the environment as well as the health and livelihoods of people worldwide. The interconnected challenges of our time demand immediate, cooperative action,” she said.
“United together, we can and will make a difference. I am pleased to offer my support of Earth Hour and am encouraged by the World Wildlife Fund's sustainability initiatives. Earth Hour heightens awareness and brings hope to the preservation of our shared planet’s precious environment today and for generations to come,” Mubarak said.
The Great Pyramid of Giza, built thousands of years ago, is one of the so-called Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Sphinx, made up of a lion’s body with a human head, is one of the world’s oldest statues.
The two antiquities will be joined by two of Egypt’s modern icons -- the Cairo Tower and Bibliotheca in Alexandria.
“This is another example of the unprecedented solidarity being generated by Earth Hour, with nations, cultures, races, religions and monuments of the ancient and modern worlds coming together to make possibly the most powerful statement on climate change the world has ever witnessed,” Earth Hour Executive Director Andy Ridley said.
Earth Hour is a global WWF climate change initiative. Individuals, businesses, governments and communities are invited to turn out their lights for one hour on Saturday March 28, 2009 at 8:30 PM to show their support for action on climate change. The event began in Sydney in 2007, when 2 million people switched off their lights. In 2008, more than 50 million people around the globe participated. In 2009, Earth Hour aims to reach out to hundreds of millions of people in 1,000 cities.