EARTH HOUR 2011

People, governments, companies, and organizations observed Earth Hour 2011 as 134 countries switched off lights worldwide Saturday, March 26, at 8:30 p.m. The movement to raise awareness about energy consumption took on added relevance with a Japanese nuclear power station crippled after the earthquake and resulting tsunami there. Gathered here are a series of before-and-after photographs from this year - which (starting with the second one below) will fade between "on" and "off" when clicked.

A view of Sydney Harbor four days before Earth Hour, and during the observance on March 26

Towers in Hong Kong's central financial district (left to right) Bank of China Tower, Cheung Kong Centre, HSBC headquarters, Standard Chartered Bank and Legislative Council (front left) are pictured before and during Earth Hour.

The Las Vegas Strip seen before and during Earth Hour from the House of Blues Foundation Room inside the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.

The Welcome Statue fountain is seen before and during Earth Hour in Jakarta.

The Taipei 101 tower in Tapei before and during Earth Hour.

The Lions Gate Bridge before and as lights were turned off for Earth Hour, as seen from from West Vancouver

The National Stadium (top), also known as the "Bird's Nest", and the National Aquatics Center, also known as the "Water Cube", both icons of the 2008 Olympics, are seen before and during Earth Hour observations in Beijing.

Singapore's central business district lit up before Earth Hour, and dimmed during the observance

The temple of the Parthenon in Athens shines brightly before Earth Hour, and dims during the observance.

The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin lit up before and dark during observance of Earth Hour.

The lights around Budapest's downtown, with the oldest Hungarian bridge 'The Chain Bridge', and Buda Palace shine brightly before and go dim during Earth Hour.

Gotaplatsen Square and Kungsportsavenyn Street before and during Earth Hour in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Times Square in New York observes Earth Hour...somewhat.

Rio de Janeiro's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue is shown before and during Earth Hour in Brazil.