By: Masayu Yulien Vinanda
Jakarta (26/03)-Organized third time in Indonesia, the biggest voluntary action for climate change Earth Hour, this year took place in Jakarta city hall, on Saturday (26/03). Jakarta Governor who is also the Ambassador for Earth Hour Indonesia led the symbolic switch off of five iconic buildings, Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, National Monument and its fountain, Arjuna Wiwaha statue, Pemuda statue, and city hall.
Ministry of Environment Gusti Muhammad Hatta, Ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from neigbouring countries , WWF-Indonesia Board of Trustees and Directors, Earth Hour corporate partners, WWF-Indonesia Honorary Supporters, and numbers of celebrities attended the event.
Decorating nuanced Jakarata was placed all over the city hall, including a pair of giant ondel-ondel (gigantic Betawi ""human puppets"") which adorned the main entrance to the area. This special decoration became interesting sights for anyone who crossed in front of the cityhall.
That night, at 8.30 p.m, the city hall went dark. Across the Governor’s office, National Monument (Monas) was also immersed in darkness, only the gold-plated torch flame at the top of it illuminating the national icon. At the same time, office building located in the business district centre (Kuningan, Sudirman, Thamrin, and Gatot Subroto) switched off their floodlightings, only traffic lights seen lightening those main streets.

According to Campaign Coordinator for WWF-Indonesia Climate and Energy Programme Verena Puspawardani, there have been 86 companies in the area and 170 buildings joined the one hour “light-out” campaign.

Jakarta is part of thousands of cities from 134 countries that officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet through Earth Hour 2011.
The Governor also mentioned that the city administration plan to organize Earth Hour periodically. In the near time, Jakarta Government will be conducting the 60-minute switch off in conjuction with the World Environment day.
“We try to encourage people implementing energy-efficient lifestyle. This action is also an expression of our deepest empathy for villagers in other region who have no access for electricity. We only swicth off for one hour, they have to live day by day with no electricty,” he added.
Meanwhile member of WWF-Indonesia Board of Trustee Rizal Malik expected that Earth Hour campaign will be able to become Jakartans lifestyle. “Switching the lights off for one hour is not enough. We must also start to use energy-efficient appliances. One hour is just a symbol. This hour, go beyond the hour, change our lifestyle and become more energy-efficient,” he said.
During the one hour lights-out, 10 static bicycles were being pedalled to generate electicity illuminating the giant-sized Earth Hour logo near the stage.

At the first minutes, Governor Fauzi Bowo, Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta, WWF-Indonesia Board of Trustees and Directors, WWF-Indonesia Honorary Supporters, and other VVIP inivitees were pedalling those bicycles as a symbol of energy-efficient lifestyle.
Jakarta city hall was enlivened by low energy-consuming entertainment for instance musical performances by female singer Opie Andaresta, Anda Wardhana (band), and acapella music by Jamaica Cafe.
Numbers of community actions also took place in Hotel Indonesia traffic circle. Those voluntary environmental action was supported by many Jakarta community groups such as Jakarta Critical Mass, The Jakarta Amateur Astronomors Association and a group of parkour (the group specializing in the art of body movement, identical with activities of running along a route or course while navigating obstacles such as walls or buildings).