Story URL: http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=217013
Story Retrieval Date: 5/25/2013 8:18:01 PM CST
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Kelly Pflaum/MEDILL

Chicagoans respond to Earth Hour event.

International footage courtesy of Earth Hour.


Chicagoans to shut off lights for environment next month

by Kelly Pflaum
Feb 27, 2013


EARTHSOLAR

Kelly Pflaum/MEDILL

Chicago and 16 other cities around the world are finalists in the Earth Hour City Challenge, which recognizes progress in renewable energy and sustainability.

Related Links

Earth Hour Website
Chicago was recently listed as a finalist in the Earth Hour City Challenge. According to the Earth Hour website, “The challenge invites cities to submit inspiring and credible urban development plans that dramatically increase the city’s use of renewable energy.” An international jury of academics, officials and urban planners reviews submissions from cities that are thinking green, pushing renewable energy and working toward sustainability.

On March 19, this year’s Global Earth Hour Capital will be announced. Chicago is in the running with 16 other cities around the globe. In addition, one U.S. city will be named the National Earth Hour Capital: Chicago, Cincinnati and San Francisco are the contenders.

Earth Hour is scheduled Saturday, March 23, and people around the globe will shut off their lights for an hour at 8:30 p.m. in their local time zone as a way to raise awareness about climate change and the environment. The campaign is now in its seventh year, and according to the website, in 2012, “more than 7,001 cities and towns in 152 countries and territories across all seven continents” participated.