Cyprus joins forces with another 178 countries taking part in the international event “Earth Hour” to combat climate change with an event at the Presidential Palace where lights will be turned off for an hour at 2030 hours local time (18.30 GMT).

The event is organised by Environment Commissioner Ioanna Panayiotou and is under the aegis of Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades.

Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Minister Nicos Kouyialis will attend the event on behalf of President Anastasiades, who is in Rome taking part in an informal EU Summit marking 60 years since the signing of the Treaty of Rome.

Educational tool “Earth Balloon” and Cyprus Astronomy Association telescopes will be at hand so that young and older participants in the event can admire the stars.

The “Earth Hour” team has set a national target for 2017 the reduction of the use of plastic bags, a press release says.

The public is invited to attend and to actively take part in the effort to change climate change #changeclimatechange.

The municipalities of Nicosia, Pafos, Limassol and Derynia are taking part in the event. Nicosia has announced that its Town Hall lights will also be switched off at the same time.

Pafos, which is European Capital of Culture for 2017 is also hosting an event to mark Earth Hour.