Chicago to turn off lights for one hour

[Lennon]

http://www.physorg.com/news122400732.html

Chicago plans to join more than 20 other cities and shut off exterior lights on public buildings for an hour in an effort to raise environmental awareness.
The voluntary hour of energy conservation is to occur worldwide on March 29 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. as part of Earth Hour 2008, sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund, the Chicago Tribune reported Saturday.

It's "a symbolic gesture to remind us that we all share the responsibility of global warming," Chicago Mayor Richard Daley said Friday.

Exterior lights also will turn off for the hour on Chicago landmarks such as the Merchandise Mart, Sears Tower and the John Hancock Center, said a World Wildlife Fund statement.

Other participating cities include Toronto, Manila, Bangkok, Copenhagen, Melbourne and Tel Aviv.

[jackson_dem]

1. I never understood why so many buildings in the city keep lights on all night

What is the point? It harms the environment by sapping energy and increases their energy bills. Am I missing something?

[gateley]

2. I'm guessing part of the reason for external lighting is to guard against

lawsuits from accidents as a result of someone "not being able to see".

As for the interior lights, I don't have a clue. The cleaning crews could turn on the lights when they're there cleaning, then turn them off when they leave.

[mopinko]

5. mostly they do turn off the internal lights.

it is also about crime deterrence. rightly or wrongly, it is believed that darkness encourages crime. i think about what it would be like to walk around downtown in the dark, and i get crawly. and i am not a chicken.
there are pedestrians out there, and they need to see where they are going. it is a 24/7/365 place here.
it is also a little like why do we have public art. you can't really explain it to someone who doesn't understand. and those who do don't need it explained.
i do understand, tho, and i am sure that as better technology becomes available, it will be encouraged here.

[Cass]

7. Outdoor lighting is for security.

Not sure about indoor lighting.

[mopinko]

3. that's my mayor.

welcome to chicago of the 21st century.

[girl gone mad]

4. Go Chicago.

Such a nice town.

[mopinko]

6. yes it is, thank you.

getting a little cranky about the folks that think that everyone here is corrupt.

[Bluzmann57]

9. Chicago. Home of the Cubs

And some nice people. Just wish my (our) Cubs would win the damn World Series before my time on Earth is done.

[mopinko]

11. well, there are bad thing, too.

it is true.
sorry, sox fan here.
i wouldn't mind giving you a turn, tho.

[girl gone mad]

12. Not that corrupt, really.

I lived there for a few months last year. The city is very well run compared to most other large cities. I have a lot of admiration for Mayor Daley and what he's been able to do over the past decade.

[mopinko]

13. it's discouraging.

we are great dems here, it is a great city, but somehow, mud stick to us. i think that dems can't get a break. :shrug:

[wellstone dem]

8. I hadn't heard about this.

I will do my own little part.

[amborin]

10. fabulous! LA tried this several months ago

but there wasn't enough advance notice or advertising, so it fell flat

great idea!

now also let's get those office building lights off every night.....

spring bird migration is soon here, and every year, millions of migrating birds are killed.....

they fly at night typically, and are attracted to light, they crash into the skyscrapers and die

can you all please email your local representatives to get office lights off at night?

[Matilda]

14. "Earth Hour" started in Australia last year.

Many business signed up, but not many individuals, and the organisers estimated that they would be
able to cut energy use by 5%.

When the time came to switch off, though, about 70% of households turned off all appliances and
lights as well, sending the energy cuts up to 10%.

I looked outside, and unfortunately, the local council hadn't turned out the street lights, but as
far as I could see, most people had at least their exterior lights off.

It needs to be so much more, but it's heartening that already it's growing.