Was it important the lights went dark?

It was a visual message designed to bring attention to global warming. On Saturday at 8:30 p.m. local time across the world, almost 4,000 communities in 88 countries turned off their lights for one hour.

Amherst's earth hour (photo courtesy of Jim Mead)

An Antarctic research base did it. So did the Empire State Building. The Citgo Sign went dark in Boston and close to 200 people held a candlelight vigil - and celebration complete with music and fire throwers on Amherst Common.

The World Wildlife Fund, which began Earth Hour in 2007, wanted to give world political leaders a global signal that climate change is important. A new international climate treaty is now being discussed to replace the Kyoto protocol which expires in three years.

But how important are these large scale symbolic actions? Do you think it is helping propel political leaders toward an international agreement to lower heat-trapping emissions? Did it change anyone's mind?

Let us know your thoughts.