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World Will Dim Lights Tomorrow for Earth Hour

Cities will power off to call attention to global warming

By Lucas Laursen,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 28, 2008 1:29 PM CDT

(Newser) – Cities across the world will dim their lights  tomorrow night—temporarily darkening major landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Sydney’s Opera House and Chicago's Wrigley Field—in an effort to raise awareness about energy conservation and climate change. Phoenix, Atlanta, and a dozen other US cities will join in for Earth Hour at 8 p.m. local, reports the Christian Science Monitor.

Some critics dismiss the effort as a feeble strategy. “Household light use just isn't a large component of total electricity use," said one, pointing out that when half of Sydney’s residents turned off their lights last year, electricity use dropped only 2%. But a World Wildlife Fund spokeswoman countered: "Dumping tea in Boston wasn't going to bring down the British Empire—but it created a spark that started the Revolution."

In this handout photo from the World Wildlife Fund, a hot-air balloon is tethered at Sydney Harbor Wednesday, March 19, 2008 as a prelude to the upcoming Earth Hour event on March 29.
In this handout photo from the World Wildlife Fund, a hot-air balloon is tethered at Sydney Harbor Wednesday, March 19, 2008 as a prelude to the upcoming Earth Hour event on March 29.   (AP Photo/World Wildlife Fund, James Alcock, HO)
Office workers walk in the sun during their lunch hour as they walk past tiny windmill decorations and a picture of earth in the background on Friday March 28, 2008 in Singapore.
Office workers walk in the sun during their lunch hour as they walk past tiny windmill decorations and a picture of earth in the background on Friday March 28, 2008 in Singapore.   (AP Photo)
A building in Tel Aviv shuts off its lights Thursday, a few days ahead of wider dimming on Saturday.
A building in Tel Aviv shuts off its lights Thursday, a few days ahead of wider dimming on Saturday.   (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
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