Lights turned off around Singapore's Marina Bay to support Earth Hour

Lights switched off around Singapore's Marina Bay from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday night in support of Earth Hour, which was initiated in Sydney and has now grown to become a global movement.

Singapore's Senior Minister of State for Environment and Water Resources Amy Khor graced the Earth Hour lights-off ceremony at the Float with thousands of people gathering there to highlight the issues of climate change and haze.

"Earth Hour is a timely reminder that every one of us has a part to play. Simple habits such as switching off the lights when not in use will make a difference. But I challenge all to push ourselves out of our comfort zones and do much more." said Amy Khor.

Themed on "Shine a Light on Forests" this year, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) focuses on the protection of forests and peatlands. The organization has launched a new petition aimed at preventing fires and further development on peatlands.

Fires in Indonesia has caused long-lasting haze pollution in Singapore and Malaysia last year, which contributes to climate change. The new petition calls on Indonesia's Peat Restoration Agency to follow through on recommendations for no new planting on peatland and restoration of peatland areas.

At the lights-off ceremony, WWF-Singapore also announced that a dialogue had begun with leading companies in Singapore to look into the establishment of a National Alliance to support increasing use of sustainable palm oil in Singapore to address haze pollution and deforestation. Enditem