Earth Hour

This was the seen looking out over the Upper East Side of Manhattan last week when I was in NYC. Oh how I wish I could be there to see how it changes tomorrow night.

Beginning at 8:30 p.m. (local times) on March 28th, a global movement of individuals and organizations in 81 countries and most major cities around the United States, will dim their skylines on some of the most iconic structures around the world. 1,800 cities around the world are planning to participate in the World Wildlife Fund's Earth Hour tomorrow, where some of the world's most recognizable buildings will ‘go dark,' turning off all non-essential lighting for one hour.

World Wildlife Fund CEO Carter Roberts commented on the symbolism of the event, using New York as an example. He stated, "This will be a pivotal year in the future of our planet as we look to Congress, the President and global leaders to take immediate and decisive action on climate change. Having New York City go dark for Earth Hour will send a powerful message to the world that the U.S. is ready to assume a leadership position in solving one of the most serious challenges facing our planet today. By turning out the lights, the people of New York City will be casting a vote in support of the future of the Earth."

During Earth Hour 2009, lights are slated to go out in some of New York City's most renowned buildings and landmarks including:

· Empire State Building

· The Chrysler Building

· Nearly all Broadway theaters

· East River Bridges' decorative necklace lighting including Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queensboro and Williamsburg Bridges

· Reuters, NASDAQ and Coca-Cola signs in Times Square

· City Hall

· Manhattan Municipal Building

· Brooklyn and Staten Island Borough Halls

· United Nations Headquarters

· Citigroup Center

· New York Life

· Hearst Tower

· Time Warner Center

· The New York Public Library

· 7 World Trade Center and the other Silverstein Properties buildings

· The Helmsley Building and other Monday Properties buildings

· Con Edison Clock Tower

• Grand Hyatt New York

Joining these properties are top New York City organizations and institutions including Columbia University (pictured), PACE University, CUNY, New York University, Brooklyn College, the Building Owners and Managers Association of New York, the U.S. Green Building Council New York, Fall Out Boy Pete Wentz's Angels + Kings, and many more.

There are other places around the world also participating such as:

· The Las Vegas Strip

· Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

· Sears Tower in Chicago

· Eiffel Tower in Paris

· Notre Dame in Paris

· Sydney Opera House

· Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro

· Niagara Falls

· Stockholm Castle

• Burj Dubai

What an exciting event. I will be turning off the lights at my house, but I am guessing it won't have the same effect as dimming the lights on the New York City Skyline.

And World Wildlife Fund does stress you only want to turn off non-essential lighting - all lighting related to public safety should remain on.