ONE MONTH UNTIL
EARTH HOUR

WHY EARTH HOUR?

Chances are if you're reading this, you or someone you know has already signed up for Earth Hour. So you know that climate change is not just a problem for polar bears. You know it's a major challenge for people, too - around the world, and here at home. Climate change is posing potentially catastrophic and long-term changes to the environment and people's lives, through increased droughts and flooding, changes to the freshwater supply, more powerful hurricanes and extreme weather events, and a host of other impacts.

So why turn out the lights for an hour? Because it's a start - a way to add your voice and make a difference.

Electricity generation is the biggest source of man-made carbon dioxide pollution, amounting to 37 percent of global emissions.

So trimming your power usage on Earth Hour is a start. Cut back year round and you'll help slow climate change. As a bonus, you'll also trim your electric bill - so you may be surprised to hear that power companies are backing Earth Hour, too. They're with us in our four U.S. flagship cities and throughout the United States.

Turn Out for Earth Hour and join the fight against climate change.

Earth Hour Across America!

EARTH HOUR ATLANTA

Red turns black and green, as The World of Coke museum and Coca Cola's world headquarters go dark for Earth Hour.

EARTH HOUR CHICAGO

Home run for Earth Hour! Last week, we told you the San Francisco Giants will play our new Earth Hour video on their giant scoreboard. The folks at Wrigley Field in Chicago know a thing about lights, too. The Cubs were the last major league team to get lights at a stadium. Now, after 20 years in the light, the "Friendly Confines" will go dark for one hour. Earth Hour.

Michigan Avenue's Weather Mark Tavern knows turning out the lights means turning on the party. They're offering a three-course Earth Hour dinner package (and champagne toast at 8pm) in the restaurant. At the bar, for $15 you can partake in open call festivities by candlelight from 8-9pm.

EARTH HOUR SAN FRANCISCO

World Wildlife Fund's President and CEO Carter Roberts met with Mayor Gavin Newsom this week to discuss the exciting developments happening right now in San Francisco in preparation for March 29. Major buildings and landmarks will be going dark in the City by the Bay.

EARTH HOUR PHOENIX

People in Arizona know heat. In 2007, Phoenix experienced the second hottest year on record. Six of the 10 hottest years in the Valley's history have occurred since 2000. "A lot of people feel global warming is too big of a problem for any one of us to make a difference," Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon told the Arizona Republic. "This shows we can do something."

Communities Making a Difference

Think a couple of kids can't make a difference? Then you haven't met the students at the Bradley Beach Elementary School in New Jersey. The school's environment club took the Earth Hour idea to the Borough Council. The mayor and council members listened to the kids and passed a resolution calling on residents and businesses throughout the city to take part in Earth Hour.

The entire island of Martha's Vineyard is being urged to Turn Out. Real estate agents in Sacramento are on board. A furniture company is joining in San Juan, Puerto Rico, along with groups in Lititz, Pa., Cleveland, Boulder and Santa Fe. Firms from Manhattan to Laguna Beach are on the ever-growing list of U.S. businesses observing Earth Hour.

Are the businesses and governments in your community involved? If not, reach out and make a difference!

EARTH HOUR ONLINE

Earth Hour is about letting people everywhere be heard (and seen) on climate change. Earth Hour is now a part of MTV's new Think.MTV space which gives young people the opportunity to make their life, community and world better. The Earth Hour myspace, facebook and youtube pages are also constantly being updated. So check back often!

BLUE IN THE DARK

The creative energy behind "Blue Man Group" is bringing Earth Hour to new artistic heights. The Group, best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and multimedia concerts, is joining with Earth Hour to take a stand against climate change. Which leaves just one question: Do those blue faces glow in the dark?

CLIMATE (FOR) CHANGE

Recycling doesn't just keep down the size of our country's trash heaps. Recycling saves a lot of the energy it takes to make new products. If you alone recycle even half of your glass, aluminum, plastic, cardboard and newspapers, you alone can keep 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air every year. Imagine if you and nine friends do it. Or 99 co-workers. Or 99,999 people in a town. Or...