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Lights Out!

Nellie Gonzalez Cutler

For one hour on March 28, cities around the globe will go dark. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) hopes that Earth Hour 2009 will unite people who want to take action against climate change.

First, the lights will go out at 8:30 p.m. in New Zealand. Then, lights will click off in cities to the west, as it becomes 8:30 in each time zone. Some of the planet's most famous landmarks will fade into the night sky.

With more than 400 cities in 74 countries promising to turn off the lights for 60 minutes, Earth Hour aims to leave 1 billion people in the dark. Darkness is a strong symbol. Turning off lights saves power, and much of the power humans use is produced in ways that harm habitats. "This is the year we decide the future of the Earth," says Andy Ridley, the executive director of Earth Hour.

In December, 192 countries will send representatives to the United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Copenhagen, Denmark. They hope to create an international climate-change treaty. It will outline steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Burning oil, gas and coal releases gases that trap too much heat near Earth's surface.

Fade to Gray

Earth Hour is not a blackout. Only nonessential lights will be turned off. Traffic lights and other lights that affect public safety will stay on. Organizers say that in many cities the event will be more of a "fade to gray" than a sudden shift from light to total darkness.

If you decide to join in this symbolic event, use common sense. Keep night-lights on in halls and on stairs. Make sure your family has flashlights available. Don't use candles unless an adult is close by. To find out more, go to EarthHourUS.org.

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