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Earth Hour 2008


Last year the city of Sydney was plunged into darkness for an hour, with even the lights on the Opera House doused, yet there was a complete dearth of bellyaching on the part of Sydney's neon-happy citizens. Approximately 2.2 million people and 2100 businesses had voluntarily flipped the switch to make a statement about climate change, making the rest of the world sit up and take notice. This year, on March 29, they're doing it again, and they're joined by dozens of cities around the world who've jumped on the environmental bandwagon.

If you want to sit at home with a few candles on Earth Hour night, that's fine, but the sense of community - both local and global - is really half the point. Restaurants around the country are getting behind the movement, running dinner service by candlelight and providing venues for people to get together and watch the light haze die down and the stars come out. Here is just a small sample of the restaurants that are getting behind Earth Hour this year.

1
 
glass brasserie
Sydney
Luke Mangan's restaurant at the Hilton is going all out for Earth Hour, with a special three-course meal of organic produce and even some biodynamic wines to get people in the mood.

2
 
Billy Kwong
Surry Hills
Media darling Kylie Kwong is an Earth Hour ambassador - a fitting role for the chef whose restaurant has just gone carbon neutral. In addition to switching out the lights on March 29, Kwong has drawn up a list of 10 easy ways for average Australians to save energy in their home kitchens. Visit the Earth Hour website to catch her environmentally friendly tips.

3
 
Sean's Panaroma
Bondi Beach
Chef Sean Moran's passion for environmentally friendly activities is well documented. The restaurant's wines are increasingly local rather than imported, food is sourced from as close by as possible (including the chef's own garden) and scraps are set aside for the chooks. Dining by candlelight is a natural match for this place's quirky charm.

4
 
Pearl Restaurant + Bar
Richmond
Another Earth Hour hospitality ambassador is young chef Adam D'Sylva, so it's no surprise that Pearl, where he mans the pans, is getting well and truly behind the cause. In addition to serving their menu by candlelight, Pearl is inviting all the residents of their building down to celebrate the hour of darkness. With residents and diners huddled in the courtyard watching the city go dim together, it should be a fabulous community experience.

5
 
Lake House
Daylesford
Lake House chef Alla Wolf-Tasker is perennially interested in reducing the restaurant's environmental footprint, so it's no surprise that she's getting involved in this event. The restaurant will be romantically lit by candles on the night and the hotel is also encouraging their guests to get involved.

6
 
Three One Two
Carlton
Chef Andrew McConnell is determined to do the Earth Hour thing properly, plunging the entire restaurant into darkness at the appointed time. But just because the lights are out, doesn't mean this diligent chef is going on a one-hour break. McConnell is planning on cooking on by the light of a miner's lamp strapped to his head.