Earth Hour

Created to promote awareness of the greatest threat our planet has ever faced, EarthHour.org used the simple action of turning off the lights in Sydney, Australia for one hour on March 31, 2007 to call attention to Global warming.

Over 2.2 million residents and in excess of 2100 business turned off their lights for one hour; the results were a 10.2% reduction in energy in the city.

Armed with this knowledge, the organization went around to globe to spread the word and to arrange for Earth Hour to take place in cities all over the world.

On March 29, 2008, major cities, including Dubai, San Francisco, Bangkok, Chicago, Tel Aviv, Manila, Copenhagan and Toronto participated in Earth Hour. Savings varied from city to city, but the end result was an approximate savings of 8.4%.

In Bangkok electricity usage was decreased by 73.34 megawatts which, over one hour, is equivalent to 41.6 tons of carbon dioxide.

Earth hour is about awareness. If every person remembered to shut off lights in empty rooms at home or in the office, took a slightly shorter shower and walked to the coffee shop instead of driving, it would make a difference in our demand for electricity.

If businesses turned off copiers and computers at night instead of leaving them on standby power, the savings would add up, not only for the environment but for their checkbooks as well.

Mark your calendar for March 28, 2009 and join the fight against global warming. Together, we can make a difference.