Earth Hour 2009

For the second year running, Minneapolis will be participating in Earth Hour. From 8:30-9:30pm, local time, people all over the world will turn off their lights to call attention to global climate change. This Friday, the Council will vote on a resolution that commits us to participating by turning off the lights on the Stone Arch Bridge, the City Hall clock tower and all other uses of electricity "not required for life, safety or operations."

Thanks to all of the downtown buildings that are also participating:
701 Building
Accenture Tower
Hennepin County Central Library
Hennepin County Government Center Plaza
Hennepin County Century Plaza
Hennepin County Environmental Services Building
Hennepin County Family Justice Center
Hennepin County Juvenile Justice Center
IDS Center
Target Corporate Offices
US Bancorp Center
US Bank Plaza
Wells Fargo Center
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Center
Xcel Energy – Nicollet Mall

Many of these same buildings are also participating in the Lights Out program of Project Bird Safe. This is intended as a wildlife-preservation initiative, but it will have positive side effects for carbon emissions as well.