Chicago is abuzz with talk of Earth Hour. All around the city, massive billboards boast of Chicago’s participation in this historic event. In coffee shops, in office building lobbies and in school hallways, Earth Hour signs rally Chicagoans to join Earth Hour. In hotels throughout the city, tourists and visitors are being greeted by Earth Hour videos and are being asked to participate. People on the street are wearing their Earth Hour t-shirts. Everyone in this great city is counting down to 8 pm.
This afternoon, Dr. Richard Moss, a renowned climate scientist and Vice President of Climate Change for WWF-US, joined top officials from Mayor Daly’s office, ComEd (the local electricity provider in Chicago), and area business leaders at a press conference on the banks of the Chicago River to kick off the final countdown to Earth Hour Chicago. They spoke to an army of reporters. A line of eight cameras captured the event to air during afternoon and evening broadcasts on virtually every television station in the city. Drawn by the commotion, throngs of onlookers vied for views of the podium, trying to catch a glimpse of Chicago history.
Chicagoans have been inundated with Earth Hour coverage. The Chicago Tribune and Sun Times have provided prominent coverage. The former published a moving editorial in which they carried the heartfelt message of a young girl named Whitney who pleaded for the adult generations to turn out the lights and reflect on the impact we are making on the future planet her generation will inherit. Whitney, it turns out, goes to the same local elementary school that Dr. Moss himself attended.
Every TV news outlet in this city, including Hispanic media, has provided generous coverage. Dr. Moss has been on a whirlwind media tour. NBC, FOX, CBS, ABC, PBS, Univision – they’ve all run repeated segments. And Earth Hour pieces have been among the longest segments in their broadcasts – some lasting several minutes. Our Earth Hour video, which is narrated by Chicago’s own Jeremy Piven, has received extensive play during these Earth Hour segments. In radio interviews, hosts are often just as excited about Earth Hour as we are.
Chicago is ready. In just a short while, this city’s skyline will be dramatically altered. The Sears Tower, John Hancock Center, Navy Pier, Wrigley Field, Tribune Tower, and more than 200 other buildings throughout the city will go dark as part of the largest voluntary power down in history. The theater district is on board. Hotels are on board. Businesses are on board. Chicagoans are ready. This is our moment!
The countdown begins…
Earth Hour Live
Tonight, millions of people are joining together, and turning off their lights to help make a difference and raise awareness about the issue of global warming. See how the world is taking part, with these live news feeds and images from participating cities. Don't forget to share your Earth Hour moments too. Remember - turn off your lights!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Hello Chicago,
I'm working late along with my co-worker and friend Elsa. We are here at the real estate office, and YES we have turned off all the lights!!!! All we have is our computers on as we continue to work surrounded by darkness yet with a bright spirit, and hope to save our environment.
To life, our planet - our environment and our future!
Carmen Rodriguez
Chicago, IL
hi chicago, iam from there and sure wish i was up there to see all this happening. i am down here in florida where nothing seems to be going on (as usual) but at 8pm i turned off my lights and did my part. so come on everybody, lets all pitch in to save our planet.
My step-daughter and I sat in the dark, hoping others in our neighborhood participated. It gave me the chance to make her aware of how one person could make a difference. I hope Earth hour spreads a little further and our future generations will embrace it.
Post a Comment