UNIVERSITY PARK – On Saturday, March 28, at 8:30 p.m., Penn State’s University Park campus will join in the global effort known as “Earth Hour” by turning off the exterior lights of Old Main, as well as lights elsewhere on campus.
Earth Hour, which began in Sydney, Australia, in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour, is intended to spread a global message of sustainability and conservation. In 2008, Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.
“We feel it is symbolically important to join in this worldwide effort to show the effect that many people, working together, can have on climate change,” said Steve Maruszewski, deputy director of the Penn State’s Office of Physical Plant.
In addition to Old Main, decorative floodlights at the Lion Shrine, the Nittany Lion Inn and the Information Sciences and Technology building will be shut off. Penn State students suggested various building lights to consider, and after safety evaluations, all were approved.
Penn State also encourages students, faculty, staff and local businesses to participate in this effort by turning off individual office and residential lights from 8:30-9:30 p.m. to show support for slowing the effects of climate change. Penn State will be joining over 2,712 cities in 83 countries in this event sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund.
Other cultural icons that will go black in 2009 include Chicago’s Sears Tower, New York’s United Nations and Empire State Building, and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.