When the lights go out for an hour Saturday night, it’s not your eyes. It’s the lights actually going out.
Some 2,800 cities in 84 countries plan to dim or douse their lights from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., local time, as part of “Earth Hour,” a world-wide effort to emphasize energy conservation.
Sydney, Australia, started the event two years ago and it’s grown exponentially. More than 1,500 cities participated last year.
“Earth Hour is a way for the citizens of the world to send a clear message … they want action on climate change,” said U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
It’s caught on so well that even McDonald’s Corp. plans to dim its yellow arches at some 500 locations. The Sears Tower in Chicago will go dark, as well as the Empire State Building and most Broadway marquees in New York City will darken. They’ll be joined by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Acropolis in Greece and the Sydney Opera House.
In Denver, the state capitol building and five municipal buildings, including the City and County Building and the Webb Building, will go dark. Even the bright blue lights on the Qwest Tower at 18th and California streets will be turned off for an hour.
You know it’s serious when the Molson-Coors Brewery in Golden will dim its non-essential lights. Brewing will continue.
Other Colorado cities participating include Boulder, Commerce City, Fort Collins, Silverthorne, and Westminster.
Everyone is encouraged to participate by dimming or turning off your lights and appliances at home. Computers, printers and other appliances left on stand-by contribute an average of 10 percent of energy consumption in a typical home. Last year, an estimated 96,000 residents pledged and participated.
The event is organized by the World Wildlife Fund, which encourages citizens to spend the hour having a candle-lit dinner, taking a walk or bike ride, meditate, sing, make music or even talk with family and friends.
For more information, visit Earth Hour’s website at
Mike McPhee: 303-954-1409 or mmcphee@denverpost.com
