Why were Eiffel tower's lights switched off?

Question

Serious answers

Answer 1

to make people aware of global warming and the need to conserve electricity

Answer 2

PARIS - The Eiffel Tower is to turn its famous night-time illuminations off for five minutes on Thursday to help draw attention to energy consumption and the environment on the eve of the release of a UN report on climate change.

There you go

Answer 3

I received this email about it a couple days ago.
---------
PLEASE FORWARD!

Participation is appreciated.

>The 1st of February 2007:
>
>Participate in the biggest mobilization of Citizens Against Global
>Warming!
>
>The Alliance for the Planet [a group of environmental associations]
>is calling on all citizens to create 5 minutes of electrical rest for
>the planet. http://www.lalliance.fr
>
>People all over the world should turn off their lights and electrical
>appliances on the 1st of February 2007, between 1.55 pm and 2.00 pm
>in New York, 18.55 for London, and 19.55 for Paris, Bruxelles, and
>Italy. 1.55pm in Ottawa, 10.55 am on the Pacific Coast of North America,
>1.55 and 2.00 am in Vietnam …
>
>This is not just about saving 5 minutes worth of electricity; this
>is about getting the attention of the media, politicians, and ourselves.
>
>Five minutes of electrical down time for the planet: this does not
>take long, costs nothing, and will show all political leaders that global
>warming is an issue that needs to come first and foremost in
>political debate.
>
>**Why February 1?** This is the day when the new UN report on global
>climate change will come out in Paris.
>
>This event affects us all, involves us all, and provides an occasion
>to show how important an issue global warming is to us. If we all
>participate, this action can have real media and political weight. *
>*
>
>*Please circulate this call to your utmost ability to your network.
>*
>---
>Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
>change the world.
>
>Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. M. Mead
>
>
>::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
>enviro-vlc List from the Australia Vietnam Science-Technology Link
>Bringing Millennium Development Goals Closer to the People
>email the list:
>contact: Vern Weitzel < [e-mail]>
>Other lists: http://coombs.anu.edu.au/~vern/forum.html

Answer 4

As a statement to call attention to global warming.

Answer 5

It was a symbolic idea to persuade the chinese not to build a new coal burning station every week.

Answer 6

that is a good question but it would make it very dangerous for pilots to see if they are flying at night but maybe they have to maintain the lights and repair them ever so often.

Answer 7

they were switched off for 5 minutes to reduce carbon emissions. ooo 5 minutes, that was generous....(sarcasm)