Florida to Take Part in Earth Hour 2010

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist recently signed a proclamation encouraging Floridians to partake in Earth Hour 2010. To recognize the event, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is asking all Floridians to turn off their lights for one hour beginning at 8:30 p.m. local time, on March 27, 2010 to raise awareness for energy conservation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

“Simple individual actions such as turning off a light can amount to a collective and profound impact on energy conservation,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “Earth Hour reminds us of the harmful effects of climate change, and how worldwide action can alleviate this issue both in the present and for the future.”

Earth Hour, sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), is a global climate change initiative that requests the collaborative effort of individuals, businesses, governments and communities around the world, endorsing the message that individual efforts on a mass scale can positively transform our planet. Earth Hour symbolizes turning out the lights to harmful emissions and dependency on foreign oil, and turning on the lights to cleaner air, a strong economic future and a preservation of our natural resources.

Earth Hour originated in Sydney, Australia three years ago, when more than two million residents turned off their lights for one hour. Last year, nearly one billion people jointly participated in Earth Hour– involving 4,100 cities in 87 countries on seven continents. Within this number, 80 million Americans and 318 U.S. cities fused together with 18 iconic landmarks from around the world, including the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Las Vegas Strip, and the Empire State Building.

Governor Crist’s proclamation observing Earth Hour, acknowledges the state’s commitment to protect its valuable natural resources for current and future generations to enjoy. In conjunction with the Energy, Climate Change and Economic Security Act of 2008, Florida remains firm in its commitment to diversify energy sources, spur economic growth and promote energy conservation and efficiency.

You can view the Governor’s Crist’s proclamation by clicking on this link: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/news/2010/03/files/earth_hour_proc.pdf.

For more information on Earth Hour, or to take the 2010 pledge, visit www.earthhour.org. For more information on Florida’s actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/climatechange or www.myfloridaclimate.com.