Mark 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.