Earth Hour Atlanta will take place on Saturday, March 29, 2008 from 8:00 to 9:00 pm. For one hour, residents, businesses and organizations are asked to voluntarily turn off non-essential lights to reduce energy consumption. The goal is to raise awareness about climate change and demonstrate that working together; the people of the world can make a difference in the fight against global warming.
Earth Hour is modeled after a successful event held in Sydney, Australia in March 2007. In 2008, Earth Hour will be celebrated globally in more than 20 cities with Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco representing the four continental US time zones. Other cities across the world participating include Brisbane, Australia; Copenhagen, Manila; Tel Aviv and Toronto, Canada, and many more.
Earth Hour is an initiative of World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Our initial partners in Atlanta include the City of Atlanta and Creaxion, a local marketing firm. Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin accepted WWF’s invitation to represent the Eastern Time Zone of the US in Earth Hour 2008 as a way to complement the recently launched “Sustainable Atlanta” environmental initiative. Dozens of major landmark buildings in Downtown, Midtown, Atlantic Station and Buckhead will go dark in honor of the event---as will neighborhoods across the city. Leading up to Saturday, March 29, WWF is working with a large cross-section of public and private entities to ensure their participation the initiative.
A steering committee comprised of local business and civic leaders has been formed to ensure the success of Earth Hour Atlanta. The committee includes city officials, local police and fire departments, electrical utilities such as Georgia Power, and private and public organizations to coordinate logistics in Atlanta. While there are no specific energy reduction targets for this year’s initiative in participating U.S. cities, Georgia Power will measure the drop in electricity use during the event, and will provide additional logistical support and assistance.
Mayor Franklin is calling on citizens and business leaders across Atlanta to support Earth Hour. She hopes that our great city will be a beacon of action and change for the rest of the world to see.
The event on March 29 is only one step in ongoing efforts to fight climate change. To encourage long-term benefits, all participants will be encouraged to replace older light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescents and pledge to take actions that will reduce their energy consumption in the year ahead.
How Can Atlantans Participate?
Earth Hour is modeled after a successful event held in Sydney, Australia in March 2007. In 2008, Earth Hour will be celebrated globally in more than 20 cities with Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco representing the four continental US time zones. Other cities across the world participating include Brisbane, Australia; Copenhagen, Manila; Tel Aviv and Toronto, Canada, and many more.
Earth Hour is an initiative of World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Our initial partners in Atlanta include the City of Atlanta and Creaxion, a local marketing firm. Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin accepted WWF’s invitation to represent the Eastern Time Zone of the US in Earth Hour 2008 as a way to complement the recently launched “Sustainable Atlanta” environmental initiative. Dozens of major landmark buildings in Downtown, Midtown, Atlantic Station and Buckhead will go dark in honor of the event---as will neighborhoods across the city. Leading up to Saturday, March 29, WWF is working with a large cross-section of public and private entities to ensure their participation the initiative.
A steering committee comprised of local business and civic leaders has been formed to ensure the success of Earth Hour Atlanta. The committee includes city officials, local police and fire departments, electrical utilities such as Georgia Power, and private and public organizations to coordinate logistics in Atlanta. While there are no specific energy reduction targets for this year’s initiative in participating U.S. cities, Georgia Power will measure the drop in electricity use during the event, and will provide additional logistical support and assistance.
Mayor Franklin is calling on citizens and business leaders across Atlanta to support Earth Hour. She hopes that our great city will be a beacon of action and change for the rest of the world to see.
The event on March 29 is only one step in ongoing efforts to fight climate change. To encourage long-term benefits, all participants will be encouraged to replace older light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescents and pledge to take actions that will reduce their energy consumption in the year ahead.
How Can Atlantans Participate?
- Turn off the lights
- As part of a global campaign to raise awareness about climate change and demonstrate that working together, the people of the world can make a difference in the fight against global warming, we ask skyscrapers, businesses and individuals to voluntarily turn off the lights in their own home or business for one hour on Saturday night, March 29. Also turn off/unplug other non-essential electrical equipment – such as idle cell phone chargers, computers, microwaves, electric toothbrush, etc.
- Businesses open to the public during this time are encouraged to participate and can do so in a safe manner by remaining in full compliance with all laws and proper safety standards. For instance, theater marquees could go dark while the show goes on in the light; hotels will maintain lobby and hallway lights, but guests will be encouraged to participate in this environmental event during that hour.
- Restaurants could darken their exteriors, but have their kitchen lights on, and may get creative with battery-powered lanterns and other dim lighting.
- Homeowners could have a one-hour family time, free from computers and TV, and play games by flashlight, or read stories by the fireplace. All lobby, hallway lights and elevators will remain on in high-rise condominiums, and condo owners will be encouraged to participate voluntarily.
Earth Hour is about living in a modern world while doing the right thing. Therefore, we are asking people to turn off lights for one hour and come up with fun ways to celebrate the impact they’re having on their environment. For more information about participating in Earth Hour, please contact Sunni Hickman at 404-495-4442 or sunni@creaxion.com. Earth Hour 2008 complements Atlanta’s recently launched Sustainable Atlanta initiative. Sustainable Atlanta focuses on improving green programs and policies like water and energy conservation, reduced solid waste and emissions, and improved recycling rates. For More Information on Sustainable Atlanta, visit here. For More Information on Earth Hour, Visit www.earthhourus.org
