Bahrain's skyline looked decidedly empty last night (March 31) with some of its major landmarks disappearing into the darkness for an hour, as the kingdom observed Earth hour, a major campaign to raise awareness about global warming.

The annual Earth Hour event featured more than one billion people in cities across the globe turning off their lights for one hour in a bid to urge authorities to find a solution to the threats of global warming.

It is being spearheaded by World Wildlife Fund and was marked in Bahrain from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.

Participating buildings included the World Trade Centre and Bahrain Financial Harbour who switched off all their lights alongside some of the world's most iconic landmarks.

Others included Movenpick Hotel in Muharraq, K Hotel in Juffair, Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence and Spa in Diplomatic Area, Gulf Hotel in Adliya, Yateem Centre in Manama, Dragon Hotel and Resort in Amwaj Islands, InterContinental Regency Bahrain and four hotels of the Elite Hospitality Group.

Strip lights, external floodlights, landscape lights, outside lights were all switched off and guests at the hotels enjoyed a candle-lit dinner.

The Yateem Centre went one step further with the shutting down of its entire system, including air conditioning and all lights, except emergency lighting.

Saudi Arabia joined the cause for the first time in 2010 to be alongside other Middle Eastern countries including Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE. – TradeArabia News Service