Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Earth Hour Gets Darker Every Year


Library patrons may have noticed the slide promoting Earth Hour on the monitors inside the library. While we're not sure what kind of action was taken locally, there was an immense response worldwide.

Follow this link to see Las Vegas and other international landmarks go dark.

According to sustainablebusiness.com:

"From an Antarctic research base and the Great Pyramids of Egypt to the Empire State Building in New York, illuminated patches of the globe in eighty-eight countries and nearly 4,000 cities and towns joined in Earth Hour Saturday night from 8:30-9:30 p.m. , turning off lights in homes, businesses and public spaces to highlight the threat of climate change and its link to energy usage.

Earth Hour began in Australia two years ago and went global for the first time last year. According to organizers, enthusiasm for the event grew this year.

According to msn.com:

"Crowds in Times Square watched as many of the massive billboards, including the giant Coca-Cola display, darkened. Steps away, the Majestic Theater marquee at the home of "The Phantom of the Opera" went dark, along with the marquees at other Broadway shows.
In Chicago, one of 10 U.S. Earth Hour flagship cities, more than 200 buildings pledged to go dark in the city, including shops along the Magnificent Mile.

In the Chilean capital of Santiago, lights were turned off at banks, the city's communications tower and several government buildings, including the Presidential Palace where President Michelle Bachelet hosted a dinner for U.S. Vice President Joe Biden.

The two leaders and dozens of guests dined by candlelight.
In Mexico City, the city government and business owners turned off all "nonessential" lights at more than 100 buildings, including 31 city buildings and monuments and 17 hotels.

China participated for the first time, cutting the lights at Beijing's Bird's Nest Stadium and Water Cube, the most prominent 2008 Olympic venues.

In Bangkok, the prime minister switched off the lights on Khao San Road, a haven for budget travelers packed with bars and outdoor cafes.

In Rio de Janeiro, the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue that watches over the city of 6 million was darkened, along with the beachfront of the famed Copacabana and a few other local sites.

McDonald's Corp. planned to dim its arches at 500 locations around the U.S. Midwest. The Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Fairmont hotel chains and Coca-Cola Co. also planned to participate."

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