Chicago - 8pm March 29, 2008

Earth Hour Chicago

On March 29, 2008, Chicago residents will join millions of people around the world to voluntarily "turn off the lights" for an hour from 8-9 p.m. to make a bold statement about climate change. Earth Hour will demonstrate that by working together, each one of us can make a positive impact on this global issue. Governments, business, communities and individuals on six continents will participate in Earth Hour and agree to make changes that will curb their carbon dioxide emissions.

In the United States, Chicago has been selected as the flagship city for Earth Hour, with Atlanta, Phoenix and San Francisco joining the movement as well. Grassroots community groups, local businesses and committed individuals are also organizing Earth Hour events in their cities and towns.

Everyone Can Have an Impact
We're asking everyone to take part in Earth Hour:

• Sign up at earthhour.org
• Turn off your lights from 8-9 p.m. local time on Saturday March 29, 2008
• During that hour replace your old light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. See our "Ten Things to Do in the Dark" list for additional things you can do during Earth Hour.
• Commit to reducing your energy consumption in the year ahead. See our recommended "Earth Hour Pledges" page.
• Visit earthhour.org and World Wildlife Fund's climate website at worldwildlife.org/climate to learn more about climate change and how you can respond.

Leading the Effort
Earth Hour Chicago is a partnership with World Wildlife Fund, the City of Chicago, ComEd and Leo Burnett. To help with coordination, education and participation, we are pleased to have support from the Chicago Steering Committee, which includes: the City of Chicago, ComEd, BOMA, Chicagoland Chamber, Metropolitan Mayor's Caucus, CCTB, Labor Unions, MPEA, Chicago Public Schools, Greater North Michigan Avenue Association and many others.

Earth Hour is only one step in Chicago's ongoing commitment to be the greenest city in the nation. Chicago has already demonstrated its dedication to fighting climate change through conserving and protecting its natural resources, promoting environmentally friendly lifestyles with residents, and leading by example by incorporating healthy environmental practices into the everyday work of government. Some examples include: promoting bike-friendly practices, building green roofs, conserving water, adding hybrid buses to the city’s fleet and mass transit system, planting trees and building "green" libraries, public schools and police stations.

What to Expect During Earth Hour
We're asking buildings along the downtown skyline to voluntarily shut off the majority of their lights for Earth Hour. In addition, we will encourage key Chicago landmarks, such as the marquee at Wrigley Field, the marquees for Chicago’s theaters, the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier and the businesses on State Street and Michigan Avenue to participate. These icons will capture Chicago's commitment to participating in this worldwide effort. All street lights and lights vital to public safety will remain on. We encourage as many residents and businesses as possible to voluntarily participate, though people should not expect the city to go completely dark.

Signs of Climate Change are Everywhere
Climate change is perhaps the most significant issue facing our planet today. We are beginning to witness dramatic impacts—from melting glaciers and frequent heat waves to increased intensity of hurricanes—as a result of the amount of carbon dioxide we load into the atmosphere.

The 10 hottest years on record have occurred since 1990—2006 was the hottest yet. The U.S. is the world's leading emitter of carbon dioxide, with over 20 tons per person produced every year. To alter the current course of climate change we must act now to curb our emissions. One person can make a difference, and millions of us working together can change the world.

Visit earthhour.org to join the movement.
Download a PDF of this document.