I remember this taking place last year and I definitely plan on participating in it this year. So here it is, turn off your non-essential lights, your electronics, and anything else that is power hungry.
From melting glaciers to dramatic weather patterns, climate change is already impacting life on Earth. On March 28, 2009, at 8:30 pm, tens of millions of people will demonstrate concern for our planet by turning out their lights for one hour. Earth Hour reminds us that we all have a role to play in fighting climate change.
I think global climate change is a critical issue that is leading to melting glaciers, dramatic weather anomalies as well as changes in weather patterns all across the world. This event is not about how much money is being saved in that given hour but more about garnering support to show that each and every one of us can work together to make a difference.
Earth Hour turns off non-essential lighting only. Lights necessary for public safety will not go out. Earth Hour has been conducted safely and without incident in more than 100 cities around the world.
I have sent a letter to my campus newspaper and I certainly urge you to write to your local and collegiate newspapers to spread the word. The success of this event is not measured in dollars and cents or how much energy is saved in one given hour but rather the numbers of people that come out in support of the event.
I have attached the sample template that you can use to write to your local papers as given by Earth Hour 2009:
CAMPUS NEWSPAPER LETTER TO THE EDITOR
To the Editor:
From melting glaciers to dramatic weather patterns, climate change is already impacting life on Earth. On March 28, 2009, at 8:30 pm, tens of millions of people will demonstrate concern for our planet by turning out their lights for one hour. Earth Hour reminds us that we all have a role to play in fighting climate change.
I urge the [CAMPUS NAME] community take part and support Earth Hour, which is being led by the World Wildlife Fund.
More than 50 million people participated in 2008, as lights went dark at the Empire State Building, Golden Gate Bridge, and Sydney’s Opera House. Even Google went dark. Earth Hour 2009 will be even bigger with more than 240 cities and hundreds of college campuses taking part.
This is a critical moment for our planet. Through Earth Hour we can collectively raise our voices and demand that our elected leaders join with the global community to find solutions to this urgent problem. Earth Hour is free. Visit www.EarthHourUS.org to learn more.
On March 28 at 8:30, let’s all turn out for Earth Hour and for the future of our planet.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
Thanks for promoting Earth Hour! Another way you can recruit people to the cause is by creating a Earth Hour group on Commit21.com. Simply create a group about one action that you will commit to do for Earth Hour and recruit your friends, family, and co-workers to get involved in that action as well. When it comes to climate change, simple actions can make huge differences and Commit21 leverages social media to influence networks of friends, family, and co-workers. Check it out at http://www.commit21.com