Participate in Earth Hour 2009

Tonight, at 8:30 PM local time, wherever you are on the planet, you are encouraged to participate in “Earth Hour 2009“. For one hour, turn off all unnecessary lights to “VOTE EARTH” and join with like-minded individuals around the world in recognizing the need for action on climate change. Even if you do not believe in the theory of anthropogenic climate change, there is an undeniable need for energy conservation and responsibility.

See participant videos and more on YouTube.

Figure 1: Earth at night, August 11, 2002. (Click for larger image)

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.
– Earth Hour

Additional Reading

• Antarctica to Pyramids – Llights dim for Earth Hour – Associated Press (Mar. 28, 2009)
• NZ to ‘shut down’ in support of Earth Hour – Stuff.co.nz (Mar. 28, 2009)
• RP, 83 other countries to observe Earth Hour – Philippine Star (Mar. 28, 2009)
• ANC goes black for Earth Hour 2009 – ABS/CBN News (Mar. 28, 2009)
• 85 countries switching off lights between 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm – Hindustan Times (Mar. 28, 2009)
• Switch off to light up Earth Hour in city today – Times of India (Mar. 28, 2009)
• Lebanese to shut off lights for Earth Hour – Daily Star (Lebanon) (Mar. 28, 2009)
• Landmarks go dark for Earth Hour – BBC (UK) (Mar. 28, 2009)
• China to join in WWF Earth Hour – China Daily (Mar. 27, 2009)
• Earth Hour puts focus on climate change Saturday – Salt Lake Tribune (Mar. 27, 2009)
• Mexico City to join “Earth Hour” – Xinhua (Mar. 27, 2009)
• It’s lights out in Miami and around world for Earth Hour 2009 – Miami Herald (Mar. 27, 2009)
• Earth hour campaign – lights off from 8.30-9.30pm Saturday – Malaysia Star (Mar. 27, 2009)
• Atlanta man at center of Earth Hour darkness – Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Mar. 27, 2009)
• Lights out Saturday night! – Baltimore Sun (Mar. 27, 2009)
• Lights out tomorrow! – San Francisco Chronicle (Mar. 27, 2009)
• Entrée: From fast food to high end, restaurants dim the lights for Earth Hour – Vancouver Sun (Mar. 27, 2009)
• The greening of Singapore – AsiaOne (Mar. 27, 2009)
• Brisbane set for Earth Hour switch-off – ABC News (Australia) (Mar. 27, 2009)
• Local venues to go dark for Earth Hour – CBC (Canada) (Mar. 27, 2009)
• Earth Hour returns: Organizers hoping more people drawn to conservation effort – Chicago Tribune (Mar. 27, 2009)
• Boston joins worldwide ‘Earth Hour’ – WHDH News (Mar. 27, 2009)
• Marriott Celebrates Earth Hour — Turns Out Lights at Hundreds of Hotels Worldwide on March 28 – FOX News (Mar. 26, 2009)
• Pennsylvania DEP Urges Participation in ‘Earth Hour’ – FOX News (Feb. 26, 2009)
• City of Light set to go dark – Toronto Star (Feb. 11, 2009)