Shanghai landmarks, including the Oriental Pearl Tower and global financial hub, plan to turn off the lights on Saturday night in observance of World Earth Hour.

Ce.cn said on Friday that during "Earth Hour," decorative lights on 163 tall buildings in Shanghai will be shut off and homes will go dark for 60 minutes beginning at 8:30 p.m. as part of the worldwide focus on climate change.

The lights-off hour is called a potent symbol of what can happen through collective action.

The World Wildlife Fund, the organizer of Earth Hour, said it will heighten awareness and bring hope to the preservation of our shared planet's precious environment today and for generations to come.

The WWF has signed up 2,400 cities in 82 countries to participate. That's eight times as many participants as last year, when more than 36 million people took part in the event. The Earth Hour campaign began in Sydney, Australia in 2007.

Because of the time difference, the 2,400 cities in the world will relay the lights-off hour to the next one by one on Saturday.

In China, famous scenic sights such as the National Stadium, Water Cube and Linglong Tower in Beijing, Xinghai Square in Dalian, Xuanwu Lake and Gulou in Nanjing will also participate in the Earth Hour.

People around the world have suggested kinds of activities for Earth Hour participants, including stargazing, hosting parties, going for a walk, embracing family members, and playing games by candlelight.

(CRI March 27, 2009)