1 million homes to observe Earth Hour

The Bird's Nest and the National Palace for the Performing Arts in Beijing are also participating.

Enterprises, such as home appliance provider Suning Appliance, retail sales giant Wal- Mart and the Shangri-La Hotels will participate in the event.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday in New York that Earth Hour is "both a warning and a beacon of hope."

"By switching off non-essential lights for an hour, people will join a symbolic display that can inspire the change we so urgently need," he said.

Lights at the UN headquarters in New York will be turned off.

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