Turn Off. Turn Out. Take Action.
Earth Hour 2009 is next Saturday, March 28 - an international event sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund. At 8:30 p.m., individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world plan to flip the light switch to off for one hour - Earth Hour - to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate their commitment to finding solutions.
On March 10, the Montclair town council unanimously passed a resolution in support of Earth Hour 2009, making Montclair one of more than 1,000 participating communities in 85 countries. Global participation is expected to top 100 million people. Many international landmarks will go dark including the Eiffel Tower, the Sydney Opera House, the Acropolis, the Sears Tower, the Coca Cola billboards in Times Square and Atlanta, the Golden Gate Bridge.
Here's how Montclair will participate:
8 p.m: The public is invited to an Earth Hour gathering at Edgemont Park's war memorial obelisk.
8:30 p.m: Mayor Fried will symbolically turn off the light of the obelisk, and there will be a discussion about to reduce our carbon footprint. Acoustic musicians from Parents Who Rock will perform, students from the Civics & Government Institute of the high school will be selling "tree grams" (small saplings).
If you plan on attending, try walking or riding bikes to Edgemont Park, and bring candles.
Some Montclair restaurants will offer candlelight dinners. Montclair High School students from the Environment Club and CGI are volunteering to get the word out. Want to organize a community event? For more information about Earth Hour in Montclair, and around the world, call (973) 509-5721, or contact Gray Russell at grussell@montclairnjusa.org.
Earth Hour 2009 is endorsed by the Montclair Environmental Coalition, the Interfaith Environmental Coalition, the Environment Committee of Blue Wave, and Bloomfield Avenue Business Improvement District (BID).
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Comments (15)
So sitting in the dark is supposed to make me realize........ what exactly?
This would work better in the Summer. Or make it at 6pm.
But 8:30pm in March?
Oh, well perhaps I can just get some local public school kids (not the private school variety that my kids know) and my staff to plant and maintain an Organic Garden for me.....
Watch out for muggers.
What are you talking about, Prof? 8:30 pm in March is perfect. Though I hope whoever makes it to the Elite 8 doesn't mind playing basketball in the dark. I'm sure the stockholders at Procter & Gamble are thrilled about this publicity stunt. Think of all the Duracell flashlight batteries that will be used for one hour. And I'm sure the World Wildlife Fund is aware of how batteries may produce the following potential problems or hazards:
Pollute the lakes and streams as the metals vaporize into the air when burned.
Contribute to heavy metals that potentially may leach from solid waste landfills.
Expose the environment and water to lead and acid.
Contain strong corrosive acids.
May cause burns or danger to eyes and skin.
Typical politicians, like to keep us all in the dark.
Mrs. Martta, I guess that includes Tom DeLay, Sarah Palin and my 2 namesakes.
This is okay, but I have often wonder whomever puts together this and other somewhat like minded events does not do SOMETHING for our domestic economy, such as supporting American industry through purchases of products made in and owned by American Corporations. We all can see that this is necessary to have a thriving economy at home. American manufacturing and sales are paramount to a thriving economy, yet many just don't see that.
Right now I am sure that OUR homeland economy is in worse shape than our enviornment is in.
From the If You Really Want to Get Upset About Something Dept.:
The cover story of today's Parade magazine was titled, "The World's 10 Worst Dictators." Now this in itself was upsetting, to read about these evil tyrants but what was ESPECIALLY upsetting was learning that the U.S. does business with 7 OUT OF 10 of them! Included on that list is Sayyid Ali Khamenei of Iran and in 2008, his government was the only one in the world to execute juveniles. Iranian law considers boys eligible for the death penalty at age 15 and girls, 9. Despite this and other atrocities coming out of this country, trade between the US and Iran skyrocketed in 2008.
How dare we have the nerve to condemn others when we do business with these countries!
This should be required reading. Go get a copy of the March 22 issue of Parade and read about Khamenei, Mugabe, al-Qaddafi, King Abdullah and others.
I have the book (which I'm sure is by the same author)"Tyrants: The World's 20 Worst Dictators." Great bathroom reading. Especially the chapter about Kim Jong-Il. Talk about a nutjob--especially the part when he kidnapped a film director and his actress/wife and brought them to North Korea so they can make him a monster movie. I think "Pulgasari" is actually available on netflix. As for al-Qaddafi, I used to think he and Bert Convy were the same person. I actually ran into al-Qaddafi's son when he was in NY not long ago. The guy had a larger security detail than just about anyone I've ever come across--and I've seen 'em all.
Interesting. My company did a collaborative arts event with North Korea a couple of years ago and some co-workers of mine flew over the help manage it. Needless to say, the security was tighter than a size 4 dress on a size 10 body but the thing that stood out was the North Koreans' reactions to the American people. They were very timid around the Americans but once they got to know indiviudal people they opened up and were very gracious. Later, an interpreter explained that from the time they are children, North Koreans are taught that Americans are "wolves" and pose a threat.
one of my fav stories about Kim Jong-Il is when he announced to the world that the first time he played golf he shot a 28 for 18 holes and made something like 9 holes in one....classic
Is this going to happen across the world at 8:30pm EST? Or is it going to be a wave like New Years? I see no point of the golden gate bridge turning its lights off at 5:30pm, when the sun is still out
I'll be celebrating Human Achievement Hour
It's is like a wave like New Years Eve.
I participated last year and spent the night chatting with people around the world as they did their hour. Millions of us geeks sitting in the dark with only a laptop for light.
Since then I am much more aware of having 3 lights on in a room when 1 will do, or unplugging appliances that aren't being used.
.. yeah, but he was playing the "Pirate's Cove" course in Lake George. Still a 28 on that course would have to be some kind of record. My best score with 5 'hole in ones' was a 38!
This "Earth Hour" thing...I don't know if I like having to pacify to special interests, if they tell me to bark like a dog, should I? It's just an issue I have, and, I know I'm not alone in how I feel.