San Francisco - 8pm March 29, 2008

Earth Hour San Francisco

On March 29, 2008, San Franciscans will join millions of people around the world to "turn off the lights" for an hour from 8-9 p.m. - making 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, San Francisco joins Chicago, Atlanta, and Phoenix as lead cities participating in Earth Hour. 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 San Francisco is a partnership with World Wildlife Fund and the City of San Francisco. To help with coordination, education and participation, we are pleased to have support from the San Francisco Steering Committee, which includes: the City of San Francisco, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, BOMA, PG&E, the Rainforest Action Network, Coalition for Better Housing, SF Public Utilities Commission, the Port of San Francisco and many others.

Earth Hour is only one step in San Francisco's ongoing commitment to be the greenest city in the nation. San Francisco has already demonstrated its dedication to fighting climate change through promotion of environmental programs and practices.

Lights Will Go Out in the City

We're asking buildings along the downtown skyline to shut off their lights for Earth Hour. In addition, we will focus on key San Francisco landmarks, such as the City Hall, Coit Tower, the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the businesses along the Embarcadero. These are icons that capture San Francisco's commitment to participating in this worldwide effort. All street lights and lights vital to public safety will remain on.

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—2005 being 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.

Fact Sheet in Chinese