Local cities will observe Earth Hour
ESCANABA – As climate change becomes more of a threat and precious resources become scarce, residents may ask themselves what they can do to help. Today, local communities will have an opportunity to be a part of the solution by participating in the global effort called Earth Hour.
The cities of Escanaba and Gladstone have officially pledged to observe Earth Hour, and are encouraging residents, businesses and government buildings to shut off their lights for one hour, from 8:30-9:30 p.m. tonight. This action, which will be echoed across the globe, helps reaffirm the global mandate for action and re-establishes the belief that everyone will need to be a part of the solution to global climate change.
Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia, in 2007, with approximately two million homes and businesses turning off their lights for one hour.
Since its inception, participation in Earth Hour has grown exponentially. In 2009, 4,100 cities in 87 countries signed on and nearly one billion individuals participated, including, for the first time, the city of Escanaba. This year, the city of Gladstone will join 6,000 other cities worldwide in turning off lights in municipal buildings and homes this Saturday.
Anne Symington, of Escanaba, spearheaded the Earth Hour movement locally. She said she became interested in the cause after she realized it was something the local community could easily take part in to raise awareness about the ever-increasing need for energy conservation.
“We act as though there are no consequences attached to our use of things like water and electricity,” she said. “We have to wake up to the fact that things are changing and it is happening in our time and we are the culprits.”
Symington said Earth Hour helps get the message across that simple acts such as shutting off lights when they’re not being used, turning down
the heat and wearing a sweater, and wasting less water are important.
“We all leave the lights on, but there’s an energy crunch, and we have to do something about it,” she said.
The U.S. made a bold statement last year when 80 million Americans and 318 cities officially voted for action with their light switch, and famous landmarks like the Las Vegas Strip, the Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge went dark. This year, 26 states have officially pledged to observe Earth Hour, compared to eight states last year, including Michigan.
