Turn out the lights on March 28

Ten days from now, communities all across the world will cast their vote for action on climate change by participating in Earth Hour 2009.

On Saturday, March 28 at 8:30 PM local time, over 1,600 cities and towns in 80 countries across the globe will switch off their lights to demonstrate their commitment to preventing the worst effects of global climate change.

This marks the largest year ever for the Earth Hour project, which began in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Many of the world’s most iconic buildings and landmarks will turn off their lights, including the Las Vegas Strip, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the Sydney Opera House, the Coliseum in Rome and more.

Earth Hour Executive Director, Mr Andy Ridley, called Earth Hour:

...an opportunity for the global community to speak in one voice on the issue of climate change, while at the same time coming together in celebration of the one thing every single person on the planet has in common – the planet.

Perhaps most significantly, our nation’s capital has agreed to be an official flagship city for Earth Hour 2009, signaling to Congress the urgency of climate action. Major municipal buildings, embassies, universities, hotels and organizations in the District of Columbia will turn off their lights next Saturday.

To learn more about Earth Hour, or to find out about events going on in your community, check out the Earth Hour US website.