3.29.2008 6:31 AM

Earth Hour Festivities, Around the World

From Adelaide to Warwickshire, Communties Get Creative (In the Dark)

Composite satellite view of the world at night, showing light pollution.

Photo: NASA

By Dan Shapley

From Adelaide, Australia, to Warwickshire, England, communities around the globe are gearing up for Earth Hour, which will see people turn out their electric lights Saturday for one hour, from 8 to 9 p.m. local time.

In the United States, Chicago, San Francisco and Phoenix are among the cities taking part, though many individuals and community groups plan to participate even if their local governments have not organized city-wide events.

Earth Hour is designed as a way to show people how small actions can make a difference in the fight against global warming. By turning out the lights for one hour, and getting by in the dark, it will hopefully encourage everyone to be more conscious about reining in any energy they waste on a daily basis. It also should, weather permitting, provide a better-than-usual opportunity to view the stars, as light pollution dulls the intensity of the nighttime sky.

Beyond that, as the many creative celebrations show, Earth Hour is proving to be a time for communities, families and individuals to get creative, and get together. The unique character of local communities is shining through, as people look up from their computers and Blackberrys and re-connect with their neighbors.

Looking for ideas about how to mark the occasion? Scroll down, or try 8 Sexy Ways to Spend Earth Hour, or 22 Creative Community Earth Hour Events.

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