Cities go dark over global warming
Skylines around the world went dim Saturday night in celebration of Earth Hour, a symbolic hour of darkness to remind people of the need to combat global warming. In the United States, Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, San Francisco and dozens of other communities participated.
The World Wildlife Fund orchestrated the event, based on last year’s popular Earth Hour in Sydney, Australia.
“The main point is not to make a significant dent in climate change, but to demonstrate the need for people to take leadership on their own to address this problem,” said Richard Moss, the fund’s vice president for climate change. “It’s not about sitting in the dark, it’s about making a serious commitment over the next year and beyond over how we contribute to climate change.”
More than 30 localities across the United States participated.
In California, San Francisco was the biggest participant. Darkened restaurants glowed with candlelight, and the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower and other landmarks extinguished lights. Pasadena and Burbank were among other cities taking part.
Chicago, often touted by Mayor Richard Daley as a “green city,” was the first U.S. city to sign up, and almost every major downtown building, including the Sears Tower, agreed to turn off its lights.
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