March 2008

EARTH HOUR
A Global Event on Climate Change

On March 29, 2008, millions of people around the world will join together to literally “turn out the lights” for Earth Hour, a global effort to create awareness about climate change and a dramatic symbolic event to show how doing one small thing can make a big difference in the fight against global warming.

Earth Hour has grown from a single event held by WWF Australia in Sydney on March 31, 2007, to a global phenomenon that will track across six continents.  In 2007, tens of thousand of homes and businesses across Sydney switched of their lights for one hour.  The result was a 10% drop in energy usage and a dramatic increase in awareness of climate change.  Earth Hour 2008 will take place throughout the world, with special events and celebrations focused in several U.S. cities, including Chicago, our flagship city, and Atlanta, representing the Eastern Time Zone.  

How It Will Work
Currently, 25 cities across the globe, including Atlanta, Brisbane, Chicago, Copenhagen, Manila, Melbourne, Sydney, Tel Aviv and Toronto have committed to Earth Hour 2008.  In each of these participating cities, WWF is working with local officials, corporate partners, businesses, civic leaders, educators and others concerned about climate change to help mobilize businesses, individuals, and communities to demonstrate commitment to the health of our planet by turning off lights for one hour—from 8 - 9 pm local time.

What We’re Asking Atlanta Buildings and Businesses to Do
As part of Earth Hour Atlanta, we’re asking building managers and owners as well as tenants to turn off all non-essential lighting for one hour.  This includes any façade lighting and non-essential office lighting.  This does not include any lighting necessary for a public safety or aviation purpose.  For example, the Bank of America Plaza will be turning off the crown lighting at the top of their building and is working with their tenants to turn off any non-essential office lighting.  But, elevator lighting, street lighting and the red aviation light at the very top of the building’s spire will remain lit.

To ensure that any potential technical issues are addressed, Lee Cronan from Georgia Power is available to consult with building management or engineers.  Lee has designed, consulted on or installed façade lighting on over 50 buildings in Atlanta and was integrally involved in previous efforts to “Light Up Atlanta!” during the Super Bowl, Olympics and the NCAA Final Four.  No one in the country has as much experience as Lee.

Allen Thornell is coordinating logistics for Earth Hour Atlanta and works with building managers and engineers to connect with Lee as well as answer any other questions that may arise.  He is also working with building staff to help get the word out to their tenants and is also working directly with staff to make sure the lights actually go out on March 29th.  To reach Allen call 678.488.2188 or e-mail allen@talkingheadsmedia.com.  Sunni Hickman is coordinating marketing and can provide sample text, graphics, posters or other items needed to promote the program.  She can be reached at sunni@creaxion.com or 404.495.4442

On March 29, 2008, WWF invites everyone to join in this effort to “turn out the lights” in what we hope will be a global expression of unity and commitment to combat one of our generation’s greatest challenges.  For more information on how to participate, visit www.earthhour.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 Things to do in the Dark

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