Chicago - 8pm March 29, 2008

1. What is Earth Hour?

Earth Hour is a WWF initiative to "turn off the lights" in cities around the world for one hour, starting at 8pm local time on March 29, 2008. Earth Hour will demonstrate that by working together, each one of us can make a positive impact on this global issue. Earth Hour encourages businesses, communities and individuals to take the simple steps needed to cut their carbon dioxide emissions. WWF will hold this event in at least 14 cities across 6 continents. In the United States, Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix and San Francisco will participate.

Earth Hour is intended to bring together a diverse group of community, municipal, corporate and non-governmental organizations to heighten awareness of the impacts of climate change on the world and to inspire individuals and businesses to take practical action to reduce their own carbon footprint.

Information on Earth Hour, along with interactive features and resources for families, individuals, businesses and communities can be found at www.earthhour.org.

2. Why do we need to act?

Climate change is perhaps the most significant issue facing our planet today.

We are beginning to witness dramatic effects from climate change—from melting glaciers and frequent heat waves to increased intensity of hurricanes. The U.S. is one of the world's leading emitters of carbon dioxide—more than 20 tons per person every year. The 10 hottest years on record have occurred since 1990, and 2006 was the hottest yet. To alter the current course of climate change and conserve our cities for generations to come we must act now. For details, see Why Earth Hour?

3. How will Earth Hour help?

Earth Hour shows that, together, our small actions can make a difference in the fight against climate change. By turning out the lights for one hour on March 29, individuals, businesses and communities around the world will demonstrate a collective concern about climate change and signal a willingness to do something about it.

4. How much carbon dioxide will be saved during the event?

We will be measuring how much energy is saved during Earth Hour with the help of the energy providers in each partner city—but the main aim of the campaign is to inspire people and businesses to improve their overall energy efficiency beyond Earth Hour, making small actions to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions every day.

5. Will all electricity be turned off during Earth Hour?

No. We are only asking for lights to be turned off inside or outside buildings or homes that are not needed for safety or security purposes. Partner businesses will adhere to Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) standards and security and emergency lighting will remain on. Residents should also consider unplugging non-essential items like cell phone chargers, computers and countertop appliances when not in use. We strongly urge residents and businesses to use flashlights instead of candles during Earth Hour. Also, Earth Hour is a completely voluntary program.

6. Will street lights remain on?

Yes. It is important that Earth Hour is celebrated in a safe and secure environment, so we will not be turning off any of the street lights, lights in hospitals, lights used by emergency services or airports, or any lights in public spaces which would impact public safety.

Earth Hour organizers are working with the City of Chicago as well as our partner in Chicago, ComEd, to ensure an impactful and safe event.

7. Is Earth Hour just taking place in the Chicago downtown area?

Earth Hour Chicago will encompass the greater Chicago area, including Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs. The people of Chicago will join others in cities across the U.S. and the entire world participating in Earth Hour.

8. Is there danger of a power surge when the lights get turned back on?

No. WWF and the Earth Hour partners are working closely with the energy providers in each city to ensure a safe event with no adverse impact on power systems.

9. Does this mean I have to turn off everything in my home?

No. We want people to see how easy it is to take action against climate change. You don't have to turn off your refrigerator, for example, but we do encourage you to join the rest of Chicago and the world by switching off your lights, changing to energy-efficient compact fluorescents and thinking of ways you can change your habits in the long-term to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions.

10. What are people supposed to do for the 60 minutes of Earth Hour?

There are lots of ways to have fun in the dark—like having a flashlight-lit dinner with loved ones, meeting up outside with friends who are also Earth Hour participants, and having a battery lantern campout with the kids. WWF encourages participants to get creative and visit our website for some great ideas. See especially:

11. What is the history behind Earth Hour?

In a world first, Sydney—its companies, government departments, individuals and families—turned off the lights for one hour at 7:30 pm on Saturday March 31, 2007 as a step towards reducing the city's greenhouse gas pollution. This became known as Earth Hour.

Some 2,270 businesses and 68,506 individuals signed up on the website with commitments to spread the word. The result was a 10.2 percent drop in energy usage—the equivalent of taking over 48,000 cars off the road for an hour—and an increased awareness for global climate change.

12. How can the public or businesses take part in Earth Hour?

Go to www.earthhour.org to sign up, download activities and tips for reducing energy consumption, and learn more about how Earth Hour is bringing people together around the world.

13. What does a commitment to Earth Hour involve for individuals and companies?

By committing to Earth Hour, individuals and companies are pledging to support the campaign by turning their lights off for one hour and taking steps necessary to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions, by being conscious of how much energy they are using, and by identifying opportunities in their homes or offices to reduce their energy consumption.

14. What other countries/cities are taking part in Earth Hour?

As of February 6, 2008:

  • Ålborg, Denmark
  • Århus, Denmark
  • Adelaide, Australia
  • Atlanta, USA
  • Bangkok, Thailand
  • Brisbane, Australia
  • Canberra, Australia
  • Chicago, USA
  • Christchurch, New Zealand
  • Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Gold Coast, Australia
  • Manila, Philippines
  • Melbourne, Australia
  • Odense, Denmark
  • Perth, Australia
  • Phoenix, USA
  • San Francisco, USA
  • Suva, Fiji
  • Sydney, Australia
  • Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Toronto, Canada

15. Who are the Earth Hour Partners?

Earth Hour Partners are governments and corporations that have made a major commitment to making the events of March 29 possible. Currently, the Earth Hour Partners include the Cities of Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco and Phoenix; Leo Burnett, ComEd in Chicago; and HP in all four partner cities.

16. Where can I find out more information about Earth Hour?

Yes. We view March 29 as one step towards long-term changes people can make to reduce their impact on the environment. All participants are asked to take quick and easy action to address climate change, such as replacing older light bulbs during that hour with energy-efficient compact fluorescents that use 75 percent less energy. Additionally, participants will be invited to pledge to take actions that will reduce their energy consumption in the long-term. Corporate partners are asked to identify lasting ways to reduce energy usage, while communicating their commitment to their leaders, customers and investors.

17. Where can I find out more information about Earth Hour?

Visit the official worldwide website at earthhour.org, and click on the Cities link to learn more about events in the U.S. and in each of WWF’s four partner cities–Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco and Phoenix.

Download a PDF of this document.

Sydney - 8pm, March 29, 2008

The Sunday Telegraph