The lights on the historic aqueduct, Portes des Bombes and George Bonello du Puis Garden in Qui si Sana will be switched off for an hour this Saturday evening as Malta joins the rest of the world in marking Earth Hour.

The lights will also be switched off in Gozo at the Citadella bastions and the Banca Giuratale.

Ta' Xbiex, Xewkija and Gharghur councils will be joining the initiative by switching off lights on historic buildings.

The environment NGO Nature Trust explained that Earth Hour is a global event organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature. People and businesses are asked to switch off their non-essential lights and other electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness on the need to take action on climate change.

Earth Hour was conceived by WWF and The Sydney Morning Herald in 2007, when 2.2 million residents of Sydney participated by turning off all non-essential lights. Following Sydney's lead, many other cities around the world adopted the event in 2008.

Earth Hour 2011 will take place on Saturday from 8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.

At Qui Si Sana garden, those present will be asked to light candles. There will be a parade by Sliema Scouts and the Salesian Brigade.

The Astronomy Society will make telescopes available to enable those present to benefit from the absence of artificial light to enjoy the moon and the stars.

The event will be organised by the Resources Ministry.

Nature Trust will be reporting to WWF International all events happening in Malta on this occasion.