28th march 2010 is a month away. is the same thing happening this year?
i'm at a school in kenya, a senior student and i want to promote the idea of conserving energy in these different ways. i'd like for the school and the students, parents and families connected to it to also participate on the 28th or march, and then hopefully get the community to practice this once a month, then once a week. make it a huge deal and get people to notice and join in.

please let me know. and are there any other groups or organizations for different ways to save energy?

thanks.

SPG... isn't that awesome!?

I've been looking for something to show Seattle's lights... all I've found is some home video taken at the Space Needle.

If anyone finds anything please post it!

SPG - thanks for posting that. Very cool...

Here's a link to some before/during shots of the lights out from around the world. Click on each photo to the see the lights fade down...

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/earth_...

Candice, I completely agree with you - it's a neat idea, and one that should bother NO ONE.

There isn't a downside - it isn't mandated, you do it in your own house or whatever, of your own free will - not bothering anyone else at all.

But the potential for an upside includes bringing people together, educating your kids, or just having some time to reflect on life without the TV on - whatever you choose to do with that hour.

The people who have to bitch about something that other people are enjoying that affects them in no way are just pathetic. Thank you for bringing this to our attention - know that some of us appreciate it.

Candice

Please start a reeducation camp. What could go wrong?

"Aren’t we “green” around here? "

Maybe it's the insistence on saying 'we' that drives people nuts?

Oh don't worry about it Candice - some of us just try to be funny and sometimes it doesn't translate well. You should rest assured in confidence that the message of this event isn't lost on others. It is good to read that you and yours had such a good event experience.

Alright... I don't wanna be one of those commenters who starts anything.

I'm surprised at some of the comments here, but really it is the comments on other blogs that's got me all sad... so sorry myballard for lashing out.

We had a great time last night with our friends sitting around the dining room table with lots of good food and an amazing amount of candle light.

It makes me really sad (and quite honestly pissed off) from the amount of negative feedback many people, on this blog and other local blogs. Isn't this Seattle? Aren't we "green" around here? Doesn't anyone get it?

So many people claim to support local, recycle, bring your own bag... but when asked to turn out your lights for ONE HOUR everyone says it's a crock. I'm mostly disgusted by the comments I read on the Seattle Times blog, so forgive me if I sound too upset at anyone here... although it's been less than supportive of the cause for the most part.

With all that said, my husband and I were very excited for Earth Hour. Not only because of the message behind it, but also for the joy of spending time with close friends and spreading the message.

I hope at least someone learned something about conservation last night. And I hope some people will grow up and realize a thing or two.

Just symbolic? Great!

duty free:
thank you for your insight.
Still wondering about the pastel color scheme......what am I missing?

Thanks for promoting this, it's an excellent message and symbol of how we should all be conscious of our energy use. We will definitely participate!

I'll be om'ing for world cooling.

Lights out...
(ring fingers to thumbs, arms outstretched)
"Oooooohhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmm..."
I'll try and explain it to the patrons, staff, lol....

Tonight I'll be sacrificing a goat on my Obama alter and pray to Al Gore to bring us salvation.

And next week we will be downing Oxycontin while hoping our president fails to show or support for our puppeteer Rush Limbaugh.

And next week we're going to be throwing frisbees for world peace.

@4, you should take a closure look at the Canal Substation. For a big, burly city utility I would say there has been an admirable effort to make the block reasonably attractive. The building's architecture, too, is much more dignified and charming than most newer buildings in Ballard.

in the dark @ 4, the Canal Substation is actually pretty spectacular. You should take a closer look. Sure, it's mostly just a necessary utility, all metal and gravel and humming, but there's some dignity in the architecture and some effort to beautify the surroundings.

Conserving energy all year round should be the goal, but turning off your lights for one night is good if it gets peoples attention. Too bad bmvaughn and so many others think that jesus is going to rapture him and his buddies away in a few years, so no need to think about the wars, famines and pollution caused by the world's insatiable (and wasteful) appetite for resources. Ferry tales will not save bmvaughn's children from the misery we are preparing for their generation.

oh - here was the question:

Do I have to turn off all of my electricity for Earth Hour?

Here's from earthhourus dot org:

Not at all. Through Earth Hour we are asking people to turn off all non-essential lighting. Emergency lighting, televisions and computers can stay on for the hour. The main point of Earth Hour is to unite people, companies and governments around the world through the symbolic flip of a switch. Earth Hour in itself will not lower our carbon footprint, rather it sends a signal to those in a place of power that we as individuals and communities demand action.

The decision on which lights to turn off can be made individually, but usually consists of overhead lights in rooms (whether it is your house or a business), outdoor lighting that does not impact safety, computers, decorative lights, neon signs for advertising, televisions, desk lamps, etc.

We're going to start early, so the kids can participate. Perhaps will BBQ in the rain. Climate issues aside, I've always thought it would be fun to have power-free "camp-at-home" weekends, so this will be our maiden voyage.

I'd participate, but I don't support organized religion.

you can make your earth hour pledge here.
http://earthhour.hadw.com

HADW is a local design firm trying to encourage everyone to take part.

Yeah... it's looking like bocce ball is out. BUT... I've got a crap ton of tea lights and board games. Sorry to disappoint the haters.

Amen to the back porch light off. Why do they point them in the direction of the houses behind them?

does this only go for lights, or should I keep my television off as well?
not much else to do on a rainy night. I'll be very impressed if anyone plays bocce ball in this weather.

the only problem with Earth hour is that it's only ONE hour. my KINGDOM to get my neighbors to turn off their back porch light.

Leaving your lights on is going to bring back George W. Bush?

Speaking of art installations and electricity.....That canal station down on 8th and almost Leary is about the ugliest thing imaginable. What are the silouettes in the upper windows? Is it rock -paper- sizzors? What does it mean?

gee. look at me. aren't i clever?

I have created an art installation that uses tons of electricity and it opens tonight! Haw haw haw

If you are against global-warming hysteria, high taxes, socialized medicine and a weak foreign policy, Sunday is your day. Show how you feel about the issues by turning on your lights in the evening and leaving them on until you go to bed. If you go out for a drive after dark, make sure you turn your headlights on too.

(with thanks to James Taranto)

If you are against global-warming hysteria, high taxes, socialized medicine and a weak foreign policy, Sunday is your day. Show how you feel about the issues by turning on your lights in the evening and leaving them on until you go to bed. If you go out for a drive after dark, make sure you turn your headlights on too.

http://online.wsj.com/article/best_of_the_web_t...