Archive: Around Town

Tompkins County is urging residents to turn off their lights for an hour this Saturday to participate in Earth Hour 2010, a worldwide event demonstrating the commitment to address the problem of climate change.

County Legislature Chair Martha Robertson has proclaimed this Saturday, March 27th from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. as Earth Hour in Tompkins County.  The proclamation “urge(s) all residents, businesses, institutions and governments to participate in this symbolic act to demonstrate support of combating climate change, the gravest threat our planet has faced.”

Earth Hour 2010, based on the first Earth Hour which took place in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, is a global effort, in which municipalities and individuals worldwide will turn off the lights and other electrical appliances not in use to demonstrate support for action on climate change.  This is the third year that Tompkins County has participated in Earth Hour.

“The County is pleased and excited to be part of Earth Hour again this year,” says County Legislator Dooley Kiefer.  “We hope that everyone will feel inspired to spread the word to their colleagues, friends and family about how to participate, individually and collectively.”

Last year nearly 1 billion people worldwide participated in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.  In the U.S. alone an estimated 80 million people turned off their lights, and more than 300 cities officially participated, dimming the lights on icons such as the Empire State Building and Golden Gate Bridge.

“Earth Hour has done a lot to raise awareness of climate change issues,” Kiefer continues. “But there’s more to it than switching off lights for one hour once a year.  It’s all about giving people a voice on the future of our planet and working together to create a sustainable low-carbon future for our planet.

“People across the world from all walks of life will turn off their lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time and join together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet. I’m glad Tompkins County is part of that effort.”

----
v5i13