As part of the world’s largest voluntary action for the environment, some Bloomington-Normal buildings will go dark on March 23, 2013 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. At this time a number of area businesses, organizations, and residents will turn off their lights or reduce their energy usage in other ways to raise awareness of the excessive consumption of energy and how it impacts global climate change. Bloomington-Normal joins over 7,000 cities in 152 countries worldwide participating in Earth Hour.
The Ecology Action Center invites all area residents and businesses to participate. Businesses can turn off outside signs and displays, interior lights, and exterior lights not essential for safety or security. Families can turn off their lights, TVs, and computers and enjoy dinner by candlelight, board games, or even a walk outside in the early spring weather. To sign-up to participate in the local Earth Hour event go to www.ecologyactioncenter.org . Participating businesses, organizations, and families are also encouraged to let the EAC know about their efforts at (309) 454-3169 or [email protected].
The Ecology Action Center further encourages residents and businesses to go beyond Earth Hour and adopt practices and energy efficient technologies as part of daily life to help reduce energy consumption and thereby reduce climate-changing greenhouse gases. Information on many ways to save energy and save money at home or at work is available on the EAC website at www.ecologyactioncenter.org under “Energy”.
Participation by area organizations and businesses includes:
- The City of Bloomington will reduce the temperature of its buildings by 5 degrees
- The Town of Normal will shut off all the non-essential lights, including outside lights
- State Farm Insurance will turn off non-essential lighting at its Corporate Headquarters, Corporate South, and Downtown Building
- The McLean County Museum of History will help to promote this event
- Illinois Wesleyan University will encourage its campus to participate
- The Children’s Discovery Museum will turn off non-essential lights, computers, and appliances
- The Miller Park Zoo will help to promote this event
- The Uptown Partners will help to promote this event
- The Islamic Center of Bloomington/Normal will help to promote this event
- The League of Women Voters of McLean County will be encouraging its members to participate
