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Lights Go Out In Denver For One Hour
By: Audra Ensign
CW2 - Channel 2 News
March 29, 2008
City takes part in worldwide effort to conserve energy.
DENVER (KWGN) — An estimated thirty million people worldwide turned out their lights for one hour on Saturday night. Denver is just one of the many cities who took part in the effort to encourage energy conservation.
Lights went out between eight and nine o'clock. Mayor Hickenlooper sent out a letter urging Denver businesses and residents to join the effort. People enjoyed a candlelit dinner at the restaurant "Fruition."
"I think it's a great idea, there are cities all over the world who are doing this tonight and if all it takes is for us to turn off a little electricity to conserve and save power, why not?" says restaurant owner Paul Attardi.
"If even ten percent of Denver businesses and residents participated tonight we will have eliminated thirty-six tons of carbon dioxide and have the energy equivalent of four hundred thousand light bulbs," says Green Print Denver Director Michele Weingarden.
The Internet even tried its best to get the word out. Sites like Google turned "black" for the day and when the lights actually went out in downtown Denver, the famous blue Qwest sign went to "black" for the hour.
"I think it's cool because we're all going to be doing something together to save energy," says one Denver resident.
People were also encouraged to unplug their appliances during the hour. The Mayor's office wants the city to take part in this effort again next year.
Article URL: http://cw2.trb.com/news/kwgn-denver-earth-hour-lights-out,0,7680723.story
