Major landmarks across Canada -from the legislature in the Inner Harbour, to the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver to the MontRoyal Cross in Montreal -will stand in darkness Saturday

Major landmarks across Canada -from the legislature in the Inner Harbour, to the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver to the MontRoyal Cross in Montreal -will stand in darkness Saturday as more than 100 countries pledge to turn their lights off as a call to action for climate change.

Earth Hour started as a simple conversation between the World Wildlife Federation (WWF), Chicago-based advertising agency Leo Burnett and the Sydney Morning Herald about climate change and how to raise and demonstrate public support.

That discussion sparked an idea that led to the nowannual, hour-long, lights-off event.

In 2007, Australia participated in the first Earth Hour when more than two million people and 2,000 businesses spent an hour in darkness to shed light on an important global issue. At last year's Earth Hour, the number of participants surged to more than one billion worldwide.

"Last year was the biggest yet because we got China involved in a big way and obviously that brings in a lot of people," said Josh Laughren, WWF's director of climate and energy program.

In Victoria, local governments and businesses have participated for the past few years. This will be the third year the lights that frame the outside of the legislature will go dark.

According to B.C. Hydro, Victoria reduced its electricity consumption by 1.4 per cent during last year's event. Across the province, the load dropped by 1.04 per cent. The community of Burns Lake, in the northcentral interior, measured the highest reduction in consumption in B.C. at seven per cent.

This year, WWF has garnered more support and expects at least 130 countries to switch off. In Canada, 414 municipalities will take part.

In the capital region, several municipalities have signed on, vowing to turn off as many non-essential lights as possible and ensuring that computers are off over the weekend. Many businesses will also turn off the lights, including pubs and restaurants offering service by candlelight.

Earth Hour takes place from 8: 30 to 9: 30 p.m. local time. For more information, go to EarthHourCanada.org. The City of Victoria has an Earth Day event on the city's Facebook page.