Australians are being urged to do their part for wildlife struggling from the impacts of climate change by switching off the lights this Earth Hour.
Millions of Australians are expected to turn off the power on Saturday for an hour from 8.30pm as part of a global movement to bring attention to climate change.
Climate Council scientist Lesley Hughes has urged people to take part and tackle climate change before it's too late.
"The survival of Australia's unique ecosystems is at stake and we are already seeing animals being decimated by drier and hotter conditions," Professor Hughes told AAP in a statement on Thursday.
This Earth Hour will also shine a light on biodiversity loss after millions of fish died in the Darling River in western NSW, thousands of flying foxes dropped dead in Cairns and koala populations decreased across NSW and Queensland.
Students light candles to mark the Earth Hour, inspiring people to take action to protect and preserve the natural environment of the planet in north China. Source: AAP
For every person who signs up for the movement, a message will be sent to federal politicians calling for Australia to get back on track when it comes to meeting the UN Paris climate agreement.
Environmental group WWF expects more than 250,000 messages will be sent to politicians urging them to take action.
“Australians will send a powerful message to politicians demanding urgent action on climate change because they are deeply concerned about its impact on the environment, food production and our way of life,” said WWF-Australia CEO, Dermot O’Gorman.
“The future for koalas, the Great Barrier Reef and the Murray Darling River system is bleak unless we take steps today to address the effects of climate change, which is already having a huge impact on our beloved animals and landscapes."
Landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge will turn their lights off for one hour during the event.
