Sydney's blackout hailed a success

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2007

SYDNEY (AFP) — Organisers behind a campaign that saw Sydney impose a one-hour blackout to focus attention to global warming hailed it as a success for taking the equivalent of nearly 50,000 cars off the road.

Energy Australia said the event -- which saw the lights switched off on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House and in 65,000 homes and 2,000 businesses -- had cut normal energy use by an estimated 10.2 percent.

Sydney switched off at 7:30 pm Saturday (0930 GMT) as residents and firms joined "Earth Hour" to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which organised what it called a world first event, said discussions would now take place to take the concept national.

"We would have thought about a five percent reduction...