Israel marks Earth Hour
Thirteen Israeli cities turn off lights for one hour in favor of energy conservation, the environment
Israel marks Earth Hour: Thirteen of Israel's large metropolitan areas turned off their lights for one hour Thursday night, in favor of energy conservation and the environment.
Tel Aviv and Ness Ziona were the first to switch off the lights at 8 pm, followed by Jerusalem, Dimona, Yavne, Haifa, Kfar Saba, Modiin, Beersheba, Eilat, Rishon Lezion, Raanana and Petah Tikva – all 10 minutes apart. The process was gradual in order to prevent an electrical grid overload when the cities turn the lights back on.
The Earth Hour Initiative is a global event organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for the past 40 years. The initiative asks households and businesses to turn off non-essential lights and electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness for the need to take action on climate changes caused by greenhouse gasses.
Earth Hour events in Israel included various conferences, workshops, nature hikes, marches and film screenings.
Israel's environmental groups also used the day to award the Green Globe award, marking exceptional work for the preservation of the environment, to various organizations.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, was given the Black Globe award – a dubious honor the groups' said he earned after approving the zoning and construction reform, which they say will compromise open spaces.
