KNOXVILLE—Lights will be turned off for an hour tomorrow night in two buildings on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, campus to celebrate Earth Hour and to conserve energy.
Earth Hour is a global celebration, hosted annually on the last Saturday in March by the World Wildlife Fund. The event, now in its sixth year, raises awareness of the need for sustainable practices to help save the planet’s biodiversity and natural resources.
From 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. tomorrow, March 31, Ayres Hall and Pendergrass Library will go dark in observance of the event.
Although residence halls cannot participate due to safety regulations, students are encouraged to participate by turning off their individual room lights.
Faculty and staff also are encouraged to participate by turning off lights at the office and at home.
The City of Knoxville will participate for the first time this year by turning out lights at World’s Fair Park and in the City County Building.
Earth Hour continues to grow in global recognition and participation. In 2011, 5,251 cities in 135 countries participated. In 2012, landmarks scheduled to participate include Big Ben in London, England; the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France; and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
For more information on Earth Hour, visit www.earthhour.org. To learn more about Office of Sustainability initiatives, visit environment.utk.edu.
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C O N T A C T :
Caycee Ellis (865-974-7780, cellis10@utk.edu)