One hour of darkness: so how was it for you?
Last night between 9 and 10pm, Lights out London saw several landmarks, institutions and individuals switch out their lights and other non-essential appliances for an hour, in a symbolic stance against climate change. Iconic London landmarks like the Houses of Parliament and Piccadilly Circus's huge advertising hoardings were plunged into an eerie darkness, and even the Queen joined in, ensuring that Buckingham Palace was as darks is it was during the blitz.
The campaign appears to have been a big success, as an estimated 2 million light bulbs went out around the capital, saving roughly 750 MWh of electricity in just one hour – enough to run 3,000 televisions for a year. Many others, around the country and worldwide also showed solidarity by taking part, despite a warning from the National Grid not to try and stage nationwide blackouts for fear of causing a power outage with the surge resulting from too many appliances being switched back on at once. But did Hippyshoppers let the side down? Let me know if you swtitched off last night in our poll!
