8:30PM local time, wherever you live on planet earth. Saturday March 28, 2009

Turn Off. Turn Out. Take Action.

On Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 8:30 p.m. Montclair community members will participate in an international event that asks individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world to turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate their commitment to finding solutions.

Earth Hour is a global effort sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund to take a small action to address a big problem – global warming – by simply turning off their lights for one hour.  Spearheaded by resident Joanne Bauer with help from Environmental Coordinator Gray Russell, Blue Wave’s Mike Yellin, and Kevin Fried of the Interfaith Environmental Coalition, the event has been endorsed by the Montclair Environmental Commission. A draft Resolution has been submitted to the Township Council for their support.

Neighborhood groups can participate in any way of their own choosing – for instance, by having a block party with families gathering together to celebrate. Several Montclair schools are also planning Earth Hour programs for their students in anticipation of the event. Restaurants might offer candlelight dinners during that night.

And of course families can observe the event all by themselves just by turning out their lights in their home – sitting inside, on their porch, or out in their yard – and using the experience to talk, tell stories, or play games.

Further information about Earth Hour can be found on-line at www.earthhour.org. There, anyone can sign up to participate as an individual, or with their business.