Lights Out in About 4 Days, 6 Hours and 35 Minutes

By Ali Trachta in Miscellaneous on Mar 25, 2008 4:22PM

The World Wildlife Fund wants us kept in the dark. They are the organizers of the worldwide Earth Hour event taking place this Saturday from 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. When the hour strikes, the hope is that as many people as possible will turn out their lights for 60 minutes in an attempt to raise awareness on the issue of global warming.

Earth Hour was a successful movement last year in Sydney, Australia, with not only 2.2 million people and over 2,000 businesses hitting the off switch, but even landmarks like the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House going dark for the occasion. This year they’re taking it global. Christchurch, New Zealand will kick off the shut down, and more than 20 cities in 14 time zones will follow the lead.

Atlanta, Phoenix and San Francisco are official participants, but Chicago can give itself a pat on the back for being Earth Hour’s American flagship city. Major landmarks including the Sears Tower, John Hancock Center and Navy Pier will be turning off all unnecessary lighting, and most major downtown theaters will be turning off their marquees. Heck, even McDonald’s is getting in on the action by turning off almost 500 sets of golden arches in the area.

You can register yourself as a participant at the event’s website, and if you’re really motivated, they encourage you to get your friends and even your school or employer involved, if they aren’t already. Head out on Saturday night to see what our fair city looks like in the dark, or stay in with your lover and live out that romantic blackout fantasy you’ve always had. Everyone has that…right?

Earth Hour Chicago, 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 29th.

Photo from Troy McClure SF.