Lights out, Chicago
Posted 2/25/2008 by Patrick RollensMark your calendars: On March 29, civic groups are asking residents to turn off their lights for one hour, from 8 to 9 p.m., as part of a global initiative on climate change.
Organized by the World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour aims to bring together residents in big cities around the world to send a message about the effects of climate change. Chicago joins San Francisco, Atlanta, Phoenix, Brisbane, Copenhagen, Manila, Melbourne, Sydney, Tel Aviv and Toronto in pledging to go dark on March 29.
As World Wildlife Fund's flagship city for the United States, Chicago, a leader in environmental initiatives, is encouraging its residents across the region to make the pledge to help fight global warming by voluntarily turning off their lights for 60 minutes. Signature skyscrapers, key landmarks, theater marquees and shops on the Magnificent Mile will voluntarily turn off their lights.
The Chicago effort has the blessing of ComEd, Mayor Daley and several civic and business groups, including the Chicago Association of Realtors and BOMA Chicago.
If all goes according to plan, the city's famous skyline will go dark (or dim, at least) around 8 p.m. on March 29. With even marginal participation, it's sure to be quite a show - though photographing the event may be a little tough.
Comments
2/25/08
Dmac said:
At the risk of sounding snarky, we had a bit more "dark time" than this previously - specifically, when those huge storms hit Chicago last August. I was w/o power for almost 24 hours, and almost all of the neighborhoods to the south (meaning all the way to the Loop) were completely dark as well.
Joe Zekas said:
Snark away, Dmac.
The pious proponents of manmade global warming need some snark as they try to plunge us into many forms of darkness.
I"m keeping my lights on during that hour - still making up for the 100+ hours I had no power at home following those storms.
Patrick Rollens said:
And I'll be on the beach (South shore, most likely) watching to see just how visually dramatic this event turns out to be.
Joe Zekas said:
Out by the Shedd should be a great vantage point.
irishpirate said:
Joe,
go get yourself some CFL bulbs. The green you will be saving will be in your wallet. Go Green. I have been using them since the early 90's to the amusement of my friends. Now the quality of light and cost is better.
Save your wallet……..go green.
Dmac said:
Wow, Joe - 100 hours? You beat my previous record, when my power in East Lakeview went out for almost 4 days (in the 90's, when all those poor folks died).
3/4/08
april said:
I think it's a great idea… it seems like more of a symbolic effort than anything else. It's more about saving the environment than saving money.