The night illumination of some Maltese monuments will be turned off for an hour tonight as Malta joins 130 countries celebrating Earth Hour.

The Santa Venera aqueducts, George Bonello Dupuis garden in Sliema and the Ċitadella bastions and Aurora Opera House in Gozo will also be plunged into darkness between 8.30 and 9.30 p.m.

The global event is organised by WWF to raise awareness about the conservation of energy.

The lights of the Sliema garden will be switched off during a ceremony that will include the participation of the Sliema Scout Group and the Salesian Brigade. A telescope will be set up so that people can get a close view of the moon.

Various councils, establishments and hotels will also hold activities to mark the event and Nature Trust (Malta), as the partner of WWF, is urging the public to participate.

Earth Hour was first held in 2007 when 2.2 million people participated. The 2010 edition saw a record 128 countries joining in. This year, 131 countries confirmed their participation, with a new challenge of going beyond the hour.