This year, the City of Chicago returns as a partner and flagship city for Earth Hour, a global movement led by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and presented locally by ComEd. In 2008, more than 2.7 million adults in the Chicagoland area turned off their lights, resulting in an electricity savings of 7 percent in the region --- the equivalent of taking more than one million cars off the road for one hour or planting 158 acres of trees.

 

Outside of Chicago, more than 50 million people participated. The world’s most iconic landmarks went dark, including the Sears Tower, Wrigley Field, the Empire State Building, Golden Gate Bridge, Roman Coliseum, and the Sydney Opera House. Even Google’s website went black for the day.

 

Participation will be tracked among the cities, so be sure to register at www.EarthHourUS.org. Turn out your lights on Saturday, March 28 at 8:30 p.m. and help demonstrate that Chicago is truly a world leader in caring for the environment.

 

Beyond Earth Hour, show your commitment to the environment--and learn how you can save on your household expenses --by taking the City's $800 Savings Challenge at www.chicagoclimateaction.org. See how the small actions you take can help improve energy efficiency and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions while putting money back in your pocket. Submit your results online and help us reach our goal of registering more than 50,000 Chicagoans this year.