RISMEDIA, March 27, 2009-As momentum builds around the world for the first global vote for action on climate change, more than 1,800 cities around the world are planning to participate in the World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour tomorrow, where some of the world’s most recognizable buildings will ‘go dark,’ turning off all non-essential lighting for one hour.
Beginning at 8:30 p.m. (local times) on March 28th, a global movement of individuals and organizations in 81 countries and most major cities around the United States, will dim their skylines on some of the most iconic structures around the world.
In the U.S., New York, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville and San Francisco will participate to cast a vote for action on the climate crisis.
World Wildlife Fund CEO Carter Roberts commented on the symbolism of the event, using New York as an example.
“This will be a pivotal year in the future of our planet as we look to Congress, the President and global leaders to take immediate and decisive action on climate change,” said Roberts. “Having New York City go dark for Earth Hour will send a powerful message to the world that the U.S. is ready to assume a leadership position in solving one of the most serious challenges facing our planet today. By turning out the lights, the people of New York City will be casting a vote in support of the future of the Earth.”
New York neighbor, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, based in Parisippany, N.J., will be participating in the event and has urged its agents to participate via an email campaign titled, “Sign Up. Turn Off. Take Action.”
“Earth Hour is one of several green initiatives we are supporting and participating in at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, said Wendy Forsythe, vice president of Broker Services and Product Development. “Each of us can contribute in small ways to save the environment and our one shared home-Earth. It’s these small contributions that add up to big impacts.”
During Earth Hour 2009, lights are slated to go out in some of New York City’s most renowned buildings and landmarks including:
• Empire State Building
• The Chrysler Building
• Nearly all Broadway theaters
• East River Bridges’ decorative necklace lighting including Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queensboro and Williamsburg Bridges
• Reuters, NASDAQ and Coca-Cola signs in Times Square
• City Hall
• Manhattan Municipal Building
• Brooklyn and Staten Island Borough Halls
• United Nations Headquarters
• Citigroup Center
• New York Life
• Hearst Tower
• Time Warner Center
• The New York Public Library
• 7 World Trade Center and the other Silverstein Properties buildings
• The Helmsley Building and other Monday Properties buildings
• Con Edison Clock Tower
• Grand Hyatt New York
Joining these properties are top New York City organizations and institutions including Columbia University, PACE University, CUNY, New York University, Brooklyn College, the Building Owners and Managers Association of New York, the U.S. Green Building Council New York, Fall Out Boy Pete Wentz’s Angels + Kings, and many more.
Around the world, icons committed to Earth Hour include:
• The Las Vegas Strip
• Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
• Sears Tower in Chicago
• Eiffel Tower in Paris
• Notre Dame in Paris
• Sydney Opera House
• Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro
• Niagara Falls
• Stockholm Castle
• Burj Dubai
Oscar nominated actor and New York City resident Edward Norton is the official ambassador for Earth Hour 2009 with support from Nobel Prize Laurite Archbishop Desmond Tutu, actresses Janeane Garofalo and Jennette McCurdy, fashionistas Stacy London and Clinton Kelly, as well as musicians Linkin Park, Alanis Morissette, Coldplay, Jo Dee Messina, Big Kenny (Big & Rich), Gavin DeGraw, KT Tunstall, Mary Mary, Dierks Bently, Wynonna Judd, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Lady Antebellum, SHeDAISY, Finger Eleven, Simple Plan, Justin Nozuka, The Veronicas and Rise Against.
WWF officials stressed the importance of safety during Earth Hour, noting that all lighting related to public safety will remain on.
More information about Earth Hour and ways to get involved can be found at www.EarthHourUS.org/newyork and www.EarthHourUS.org.
National partners for WWF’s Earth Hour 2009 are Esurance, Cox Enterprises, The Coca-Cola Company, Wells Fargo and Hewlett-Packard.
Visit www.worldwildlife.org to learn more.
