Lights were switched off across Bermuda on Saturday to mark international Earth Hour.

A crowd gathered on the City Hall lawn in Hamilton to enjoy an evening of entertainment organised by Greenrock to promote energy awareness and healthy living.

The lights went out between 8.30pm and 9.30pm and residents took part in a five kilometre glow fun walk and run.

“We must all do our part, as responsible global citizens, to protect our planet, our home, not only for ourselves, but for the future generations as well,” Hamilton Mayor Charles Gosling said in a release issued ahead of the weekend event.

“They will learn from us and take up the cause and continue to reverse the effects that we already endure and witness of climate change.”

“This annual event gives us an hour to contemplate the effects of climate change and also gives us an opportunity to consider Bermuda’s role in bringing awareness and action to one of the most important environmental issues of our generation,” Environment Minister Sylvan Richards said.

The development of “long-term strategies” to meet the challenges of climate change is one of the Ministry’s goals, Mr Richards said.

“The number of severe weather events in our part of the world is predicted to increase as a result of climate change,” he said.

“We have seen this over the last three years with the visits of hurricanes Fay, Gonzolo, Joaquin and Nicole.

“Climate change is making weather our weather more unpredictable, which increases the threat of a major disruption to our ability to trade, therefore we need to look for better ways to feed ourselves.”

The Clean Air Act will also be examined this year for to help ensure “Bermuda is doing our part” to combat air pollution through greenhouse gas emissions, Mr Richards said.

Just before the lights were switched back on again participants took part in a candlelight circle.

This year’s festivities were the 10th successive year that Earth Hour has been celebrated in Bermuda.