Carrying the momentum of around 100 countries and territories, nations of South America have taken the Earth Hour baton of hope and delivered a resounding message of action on global warming.  

Asuncion, Paraguay:
Largely driven by a Facebook event, residents of Asuncion, Paraguay gathered in front of one of the major shopping malls of Asuncion with candles forming the number “60” and a drum batcada making a powerful unplugged fiesta in celebration of Earth Hour 2010. Amateur astronomers offered their support to produce a makeshift observatory to seize the darkness while historical landmarks such as the Cabildo, Palacio de López and Palacio de López also dimmed, surpassing local organizers expectations.

Hamilton, Bermuda:
Bermuda Cathedral in the city of Hamilton joined many iconic buildings in the town in switching off its light for Earth Hour 2010. Local residents united at Front Street and enjoyed entertainment and dinner to watch Hamilton go dark during the event. A student challenge was also created to get as many students to post their comments with pictures and drawings on what they did to mark the hour.

Buenos Aires, Argentina:
Iconic landmarks such as the Manzana de las luces, Palacio Barolo and Monumento a los Españoles turned their lights off to mark Earth Hour 2010. On the night, a ‘big switch’ prop was placed in Obelisco where the city mayor marked the beginning of the hour by switching it off.  Volunteers then spent the hour assembling the Earth Hour logo with candles and celebrating Earth Hour in a party atmosphere.

Montevideo, Uruguay:
Demonstrating the power of the individual, two Uruguay residents led the charge for their country to take part in the global Earth Hour relay for the first time this year, securing support from the Municipal Council of Montevideo and corporate support from Coca Cola.  Entertainment venue Conrad Punta del Este shut off its external decorative lights.

Santiago, Chile:
Chileans have shown an unexpected enthusiasm in joining Earth Hour 2010 with nearly 2,500 signatories from all over the country pledging to participate in the annual event. With the effects of the February earthquakes still being felt throughout the city, residents have come together to take a stand against climate change.

Stanley, Falkland Islands:  
An official Earth Hour event organized by local Member of Parliament, Emma Edwards, was held at Whalebone Arch in the Falkland Islands. The Falkland Islands already source around 60 per cent of power from wind farms. Thirty school children and girl scouts took part in the event, as a poignant reminder of the need for action on climate change to protect the planet for younger generations.

Other Falkland Islands residents reveled in a lights out event at local pub Narrow’s Bar.