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Earth Hour organizers encourage 60 minutes of darkness
Austin News, KXAN.com
March 28, 2008
(NBC) -- People in cities across six continents will switch off lights and non-essential appliances for one hour Saturday in observance of Earth Hour. Thousands of places will go dark as a symbolic gesture to help the environment and save energy.
Playing Wii at their home in Denver is one of the Brown family's favorite pastimes. It is also one of the things they will give up Saturday, when they turn it off for Earth Hour.
"It's easy to do, so why not," said Billy Brown, a Denver resident.
"Just going to be playing quiet games, like matching games, reading books," said daughter Mikayla Brown.
"I think it makes a great statement, especially for the little ones," said Mikayla's mom, Krista. "Households and businesses, not only in Denver, but around the world plan to make a statement about energy consumption, how small actions can have a huge impact."
From billboards in New York City to buildings in Tel Aviv, it will be lights out for one hour. Skylines from Denver to Dublin will be dimmer as some of the most recognizable landmarks will turn off their lights.
"If even 10 percent of Denver businesses and residents participate in Earth Hour on Saturday by turning off lights and nonessential appliances, we'll eliminate 36 tons of carbon dioxide and the energy equivalent to 400,000 light bulbs," said Michelle Weingarden of Greenprint Denver.
Some restaurants will host candlelight dinners to expand environmental consciousness and save energy.
"I mean that's really, really cool to be part of that," said restaurateur Noel Cunningham. "That we're one little cog in the wheel that's part of the global initiative."
Earth Hour is a global initiative that unties people, like the Browns and millions of others, willing to give up a few simple things for a common purpose. It was organized by the World Wildlife Fund conservation organization last year.
This year it is estimated more than 30 million people will take part worldwide and turn off non-essential lights for one hour, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
Article URL: http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=8086667&nav=0s3d
