Earth Hour 2009: Start Practicing Now

In March 2008 we posted about Earth Hour.  In that month, some 50 million people in over 60 countries turned off their lights for an hour. Who knew our post would have such an effect?! 

The World Wildlife Fund has announced that Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco would lead the list of U.S. cities committed to turn off the lights for one hour on March 28, 2009 at 8:30 pm.  Mark your calendar.  These sexy cites will join 62 countries in "going dark" for Earth Hour.  WWF officials hope that Earth Hour 2009 will reach a billion people worldwide and will serve to inspire citizens and politicians to act swiftly to stem climate change.

We fear the video may be a little too, er, processed, but if it gets the power off throughout the world for an hour, we can't complain.  If it raises awareness, we are grateful.  

Don't say we didn't tell you the HOUR is fast approaching.  Practice!

Our Turn is Coming.

Cities will go dark at 8 pm today for one earth-hour. Our participation comes this evening. Check our Goggle's splash screen today.

"What's amazing is that it's transcending political boundaries and happening in places like China, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea," said Earth Hour executive director Andy Ridley. "It really seems to have resonated with anybody and everybody."

Organizers see the event as a way to encourage the world to conserve energy. While all lights in participating cities are unlikely to be cut, it is the symbolic darkening of monuments, businesses and individual homes they are most eagerly anticipating.

"It is a wake-up call," said Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore. "We need to really plan for our future. (Earth Hour) is something we can all do together. Going global is very empowering."

Earth Hour March 29, 8 PM

What are you doing Saturday night?


Lights out around the world
Many iconic buildings and landmarks around the world will be turning out their lights for Earth Hour including the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco; Alcatraz Jail, San Francisco; Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia; Brighton Pier, UK and the Sears Tower, Chicago.

Canada has one of the highest participation rates around the globe with over 150 cities participating! Many buildings and landmarks will turn off their lights. These include the CN Tower, Niagara Falls, Toronto Eaton Centre, Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Honest Ed’s in Ontario; all buildings in which VanCity, BC Hydro and City of Vancouver operate; and the MacDonald Bridge, City Hall, and Parade Square in Halifax.

Participate
If you haven't already signed up for Earth Hour, please sign up today! If you are planning on participating but have not yet signed up at earthhour.org, please do so now. By signing up, you are sending a strong message to our government, and governments around the world.

Here's what you can do
1. Sign up at earthhour.org
2. Turn off your lights on March 29 at 8 p.m.
3. Encourage your friends, family and colleagues to participate

Hannah says, "Lights OUT!"

On March 29, 2008 at 8:00 pm, people across the nation will turn off their lights in celebration of the environment. Last year, Sydney, Australia got over 50% of its population to turn off all electrical lights for one hour and saved over 10% of their carbon emissions that day. This year, Earth Hour is going global. All across the world, citizens and businesses, schools and skyscrapers, will join together and save as much energy as we can.

Hannah Freedman, an 8th grader at Baltimore's Roland Park School is spearheading Baltimore's efforts to turn out the lights. Says the hopeful Hannah, "Because even a little can help a lot...I am trying to get all of Baltimore (or as much as I can tell in the remaining 10 days) to turn off their lights in observance of the environment and helping our world as much as we can."

Please visit www.earthhour.org for more information.