Earth Hour - United States and Canada

 

Earth Hour Facts

A Bold Statement for the Earth

Earth Hour will bring millions of people around the world and across the United States together on Saturday, March 29, 2008 to make a bold statement about climate change. Together they will turn out their lights for one hour—Earth Hour—from 8 to 9 p.m. local time.

While the lights are out, people are encouraged to replace their energy-wasting light bulbs with new, energy-saving compact fluorescents and think about how they can help slow climate change and trim carbon dioxide emissions at home, in their neighborhood and city, and at their workplace.

Earth Hour will show the world that by working together, each of us can make a positive impact in the fight against climate change.

Leading the Charge

Earth Hour started last year in Sydney, Australia, when more than 2 million people and thousands of businesses turned out their lights. Power consumption dropped more than 10 percent in that single hour; the message that climate change must be slowed shone brightly.

Already this year, 25 cities in seven countries have joined World Wildlife Fund as official partners. In the United States, Chicago has joined as the U.S. flagship city; Atlanta, Phoenix and San Francisco are also leading the way. Across America, community groups, local businesses and concerned individuals are joining in.

The Stakes are High

Climate change is perhaps the most significant issue facing our planet today. Average annual carbon dioxide emissions in the United States measure over 20 tons per person. We're beginning to see dramatic impacts, from melting glaciers to increasingly intensifying storms, as a result. The ten hottest years on record have occurred since 1990—2006 was the hottest yet. Arctic sea ice has declined to the lowest levels on record. Studies suggest that two-thirds of the world’s polar bear population will be gone by 2050. But more than polar bears and ice caps are at risk. Climate change will impact all life on our planet. To slow and alter the course of climate change, we must act now.

Join the Movement

Participating in Earth Hour is easy. Sign-up at earthhour.org, turn off your lights on March 29 and switch to compact fluorescents. Think of ways to reduce your energy use and live more sustainably every day.

To alter the course of climate change we must act now. One person committed to reducing energy consumption can make a difference. Millions of us working together can change the world.

One hour, America. Earth Hour.

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