Duluth going dark to celebrate Earth Hour

The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce is once again encouraging Duluthians to turn out the lights for a little while next weekend.

Earth Hour will be celebrated worldwide on Saturday, March 23, and individuals and businesses are encouraged to switch off the lights from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. The movement is meant to show a commitment to reducing the environmental impacts of daily life.

The Aerial Lift Bridge lights will be turned off in honor of Earth Hour. The Lake Superior Zoo is also hosting an Earth Hour celebration from 7 to 9 p.m.

Earth Hour asks everyone to take personal accountability for their impact on the planet and make behavioral changes to facilitate a sustainable lifestyle. Citizens, businesses and governments throughout the world are encouraged to showcase the actions they are taking to help the environment.

Earth Hour 2013 will mark the seventh year of the campaign. On March 31, 2007, World Wildlife Federation-Australia inspired Sydney residents to show their support for climate change action. More than 2.2 million individuals and 2,000 businesses turned their lights out for one hour in the first Earth Hour event.

This year, the organization expects hundreds of millions of people and businesses to participate, including here in the Northland. For more information on the movement, visit earthhour.org.

Tags: budge news, budgeteer