REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Jakarta's main thoroughfare went dark for an hour from 20.30 to 21.30 pm on Saturday (March 25) to mark the Earth Hour 2017. All street lights along the Sudirman-Thamrin main road in Central Jakarta were switched off making the area dark.

The Hotel Indonesia roundabout, the Welcome Statue, the Arjuna Wijaya, and National Monument Square and a number of buildings such as BCA Plaza, Hotel Indonesia Kempinski, Municipality Building, and Danareksa also went dark.

WWF Indonesia Media Relations Officer Anastasia Joanita stated that the commemoration of the Earth Hour this year was centered in Makassar, South Sulawesi. However, the symbolic activity to increase public awareness on climate change and other environmental issues was carried out across 35 provinces in the country.

This year was the ninth time Indonesia has commemorated the event in coordination with global communities in 178 countries and more than 7 thousand cities in the world.

For an hour, lights in various city icons such as National Monument in Jakarta, Baiturrahman Mosques in Banda Aceh, Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta, Rotterdam Fortress in Makassar, and many other areas, were turned-off.

"Shine a Light On Climate Action has been the slogan for the Earth Hour 2017. Therefore, WWF has invited individuals, communities, mass media, business practitioners, and the government to take part in the #SejutaAksi (Million Actions) to call for the reduction in the use of plastic bags through distribution of used t-shirts as shopping bags in traditional marketplaces and supermarkets.

WWF Indonesia carried out the movement on March 25 in Central Park, Neo Soho, Junction Lippo Karawaci, Hotel Sultan Jakarta, and also in Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta on March 26.

Bogor city mayor Bima Arya expressed his commitment to implement "eco-office" in all offices of the city administration, while Makassar has committed to carry out. "car-free night" in Losari Beach.

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