March 17, 2011 | Events

Lights Out, Climate Change Awareness On

Northwestern participates in worldwide initiative to create a better global future

By Amy Weiss

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Northwestern students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in Earth Hour on Saturday, March 26, to raise awareness and facilitate positive action for climate change.

From 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., local time, people all over the world will turn off the lights in an effort to promote practices that support a cleaner and more energy-efficient planet.

This year, Earth Hour is challenging its participants to go “beyond the hour,” and think about what changes they can make in their daily lives to positively impact the environment after the lights come back on.

In 2010, people in a record 128 countries and territories participated. Notable Chicago landmarks, including the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel and the Chicago Theatre marquee, went dark, and ComEd reported an energy reduction equal to planting 15 acres of trees.

Earth Hour, which began in 2007, is supported by a network of corporations, non-governmental organizations and non-profit organizations and is organized by the World Wildlife Fund, one of the world’s largest conservation organizations.