Dinner by Candlelight and Earth Hour

On March 28, 2009, I’m planning a dinner by candlelight. Why? We can help the Earth and have a romantic evening to boot. That day will feature Earth Hour, sponsored by World Wildlife Fund and its Conservation Action Network

www.earthhour.org

Earth Hour was first celebrated two years ago in Sydney, Australia, when 2.2 million people and thousands of businesses turned out their lights, with the resultant darkness helping the message about climate change to shine brightly.

In March 2008, Earth Hour went global.

Over 50 million people, including an estimated 36 million in the U.S., representing over 400 cities, covering 18 different time zones, on all seven continents, turned out their lights in the largest climate event of all time in 2008.

The movement captured the public’s imagination with lights going out at some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Sydney Opera House, Bangkok’s Wat Arun Buddhist temple, the Coliseum in Rome, Stockholm’s Royal Castle, London’s City Hall, New York’s Empire State Building, Chicago’s Sears Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Other symbols going dark included Cola-Cola’s famous billboard in Times Square and the Google homepage.

Earth Hour 2008 was the biggest voluntary power-down in history; this simple act of turning out the lights heightened awareness about the challenges of climate change, and inspired individuals and businesses to take practical action to reduce their own carbon footprint. The event exceeded all expectations of the organizers to bring attention to the issue of climate change. Earth Hour 2008 was incredibly successful, but we can all still do much for our environment every day. Many small actions can add up much bigger results.

This year, 2009, Earth Hour will take place on March 28^th from 8:30-9:30 pm local time, wherever you are. This year, the goals for Earth Hour are bigger because the stakes are higher. Already 538 cities in 75 countries have agreed to take part. Around the world, cities like Moscow, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai and Mexico City will turn out their lights in support.. So far, participating U.S. cities include Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York City and San Francisco.

But Earth Hour isn’t just for big cities—anyone can participate. We plan to have fun with a candlelight dinner, which we’ll pre-prepare. What about you? Where will you be and what can you do?