Illinois State Dimming Lights to Mark Earth Hour, March 29

Illinois State University will join thousands of cities, businesses, organizations and individuals around the world in dimming lights and raising awareness about climate change during Earth Hour from 8-9 p.m. on Saturday, March 29.  Earth Hour, sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund, is a global initiative to draw attention to the link between energy consumption and global warming.

Illinois State is encouraging all faculty, staff and students to participate both on and off campus.  Students are being encouraged to turn off non-essential lights and other appliances during that hour.  Faculty and staff are being asked to turn off lights and computer monitors before leaving work on Friday, March 28.  Emergency lighting and security systems will still be fully operational during Earth Hour. 

The event is also an opportunity for members of the campus community to examine their energy consumption habits.  “As fuel prices continue to rise, so do electric bills,” said Enid Cardinal, Illinois State’s campus sustainability coordinator.  “Simple things like unplugging appliances and chargers that are not in use, turning off electronics instead of leaving them in standby mode, using energy efficient light bulbs and turning off lights when leaving the room can make a huge difference at the electric meter.”

Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia in 2007 with 2.2 million people and 2,100 businesses participating.  The result was a 10 percent reduction in electricity use as city landmarks, businesses and homes voluntarily went dark.  This year, Earth Hour has become a global movement with some of the world’s biggest cities including Copenhagen, Toronto, Chicago, Melbourne, Brisbane, Tel Aviv and Manila participating.  

Locally, Illinois State is joining with the Town of Normal, the City of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College and State Farm in switching off non-essential lights during Earth Hour.  For more information visit www.earthhour.org

“I’m proud that Illinois State is taking part in the global Earth Hour initiative,” said Illinois State President Al Bowman.  “I’m also very proud of the programs the University has put in place in recent years to increase energy efficiency, reduce waste and enhance recycling efforts.  By working together we can save energy and lessen our environmental impact.  It can start with the flip of a switch.”