Earth Hour - United States and Canada

 

FAQ

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 25 cities across 6 continents. In the U.S. it will be held in Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix and San Francisco.

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 heatwaves to increased intensity of hurricanes. The U.S. is the world’s leading emitter of carbon dioxide—over 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 we must act now.

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 across the world will demonstrate our collective concern about climate change and signal our 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. Partner businesses will adhere to OSHA standards and security and emergency lighting will remain on. Residents should consider unplugging non-essential items like cell phone chargers, computers and countertop appliances when not in use.

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.

WWF is working hand-in-hand with emergency services, including police and fire departments, in each of our leading U.S. cities to ensure a safe and successful event.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. What are some things WWF is asking individuals and businesses to do to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions?

WWF urges individuals and businesses to take steps necessary to become more energy efficient. Below is a list of actions households and businesses should consider to reduce their energy consumption:

Households:

Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and reduce emissions. Lighting accounts for around 5 percent of household greenhouse gas emissions, and compact fluorescents use 75 percent less energy than an equivalent incandescent bulb. Although the bulbs cost more up-front, you will actually save money through the energy saved and extended life of the bulb.

Turn off appliances while not in use. Turn off TVs, computers, lights, etc. that are not being used and if possible unplug items that are on standby, like cell phone chargers and countertop appliances.

Switch to green power. Contact your electricity provider and switch to green power – a cleaner, more renewable form of energy that does not contribute to global warming.

Use less hot water. This is not only a good water saving tip, it saves electricity too. Spend one minute less in the shower.

Businesses:

Get off standby. Speak to your office manager about turning off any equipment at work that is not being used, including computer screens, photocopiers and printers, particularly when you leave at night.

Turn off lights at the end of the working day. Before you leave your place of work remember to turn off any lights in your workspace as well as your computer. Speak to your office manager about installing motion-sensor lighting so overhead lights go off after 5 pm when most people have gone home.

Find out what's happening in your workplace. Ask about your company's emissions reduction policies and find out what's already happening. Look for ways to reduce energy use in your workplace and encourage improvements. If employers know their employees are keen to make their workplaces environmentally friendly, they'll be even more inclined to take action.

Encourage your organization to have measurable emissions reduction targets. Many businesses are committing to emissions targets and have plans to be carbon neutral by a certain date. Switching to green power, reducing and offsetting energy use and travel, and incorporating this into all areas of the business are critical to this process. Does your company have a plan?

If you are a business owner, consider joining WWF's Climate Savers program and pledge to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of your business. More information is available at worldwildlife.org/climate.

For more ways that individuals and businesses can reduce their carbon footprint, visit www.earthhour.org.

10. 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. Nearly 40 percent of businesses listed on the ASX100 committed to support the event. Media coverage was global.

The Earth Hour brand garnered 97 percent awareness among the general public with an estimated 2.2 million people in Sydney participating in the event—including celebrities like Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman.

11. 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.

12. 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 the hour and taking steps necessary to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions, by being conscious of how much energy they are using, and by identifyopportunities in their homes or offices to reduce their energy consumption.

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

As of February 6, 2008:

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

14. 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 mayor’s offices in Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco and Phoenix, Leo Burnett and ComEd in Chicago; and HP in all four partner cities.

15. Is WWF planning on doing this every year? What happens after March 29, 2008?

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 replace 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.

16. 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.

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