This was news to me too! Interesting idea, and a good site. I like how you can see how many people are doing these things and the difference it can make. Makes you feel like you really are contributing. I wonder if there is a similar site/program for the U.S.?

Thanks for the link, Paul.

:)
Dee

I just realized where I found out about it (duh...) - it was a banner advertisement at the top of one of these forums. Another banner advertises a Bon Jovi concert in Toronto. It appears Gardenweb advertising is directed at users by nationality?

Australia started this event last year. There is surely a US site with information...

This is great. I just signed up. The main site is below.

And it is happening in the US: "Mayors from Atlanta, Phoenix and San Francisco said they would join US flagship city Chicago and 16 cities around the world ..."

Here is a link that might be useful: Earth Hour

can someone provide the site please, I don't follow links, gets me in trouble everytime!
Thanks

Ellie

Ellie, here is the URL:

www.earthhour.org/

Paulns, I think the idea is just not to use electricity. I don't think candles and oil lamps would be cheating. I suppose using something operated by batteries might be cheating though! Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Lorna

Bumping this up as a reminder. We are going to try using no electric lights and no substitutes either. (What the heck is there to do for an hour in complete darkness? Can't play Scrabble. Hmmm. Hmmm.)

Our provincial telephone/internet service provider has sent around a mass email advertising Earth Hour, and the National news offered a reminder the other night. Looks like this will be a big event indeed.

Google's background is black right now;
it says something like, "We've turned out the lights. Now it's your turn." & then something about Earth Hour.

so everybody who googles will be reminded.

I think it's fine to use electric light substitutes such as candles. Try playing Scrabble by candlelight, and maybe you'll be having so much fun you'll forget about the time. You might be inspired to try candlelight-only nights on a regular basis.

Also,when you turn off electric lights, you will probably be surprised to find that it's NOT pitch dark, especially if you go outside. The stars give a surprising amount of light (the moon doesn't rise until after midnight tonight, unfortunately). In an undeveloped place like the Kalahari desert, the light from stars alone is enough to walk familiar paths easily. When the moon is full, you can read by it.

And if others haven't turned off their lights (which is too bad) the light pollution may be considerable.