It seems like there is a new report almost every month about how the birds we love are affected by climate change. Today, millions of people from around the world who are concerned about climate change are coming together.

Earth Hour began in Australia in 2007 and is now an annual event.

Earth Hour is WWF‘s initiative to unite millions of people worldwide in boldly stating their concern about climate change by doing something quite simple: turning off their lights for one hour.

Earth Hour sends the message that we care about our planet and our future, that we want to “turn the lights off” on pollution and climate change and switch to a cleaner, safer, more secure world.

I really enjoy seeing what’s happening around the world. On the Earth Hour Facebook page, you can follow along and see what cities are currently participating in Earth Hour as 8:30 pm local time arrives at the various time zones across the world.

Before - Sphinx and Pyramids by Jason Larkin

Over at Flickr, new photos are being uploaded to the Earth Hour Global photostream every hour. You can also add your own photos to the Earth Hour 2010 Flickr group. I like really like the before and after photos. Some of the city photos are incredible!

After - Sphinx and Pyramids by Jason Larkin

If your on Twitter, you can “turn off” your Twitter profile pic automatically with the Earth Hour Lights Off Twitter App. You can also add a “Twibbon” to your Twitter profile pic in support of Earth Hour.

There are a lot of arguments about whether or not turning the lights off for an hour has any sort of actual impact on global warming. For me, this argument misses the point. I think the Earth Hour event is more of a statement about how many people from all over the world care about our planet. If governments, companies and other organizations see how many people are concerned, I think they will be more willing to change things. And that is what will have an impact on things in the long run!

It just makes me so happy whenever I see people from so many different cultures united for a common cause is such a large way.