Earth Hour News

From the Oregonian

Blazers, Made in Oregon sign to go dark for Earth Hour

Thousands of fans arriving at the Rose Garden for the Blazers' game against the Memphis Grizzlies, and I-5 drivers used to seeing the Made in Oregon sign glow from atop Old Town, will notice a distinct difference come next Saturday night. Those Portland properties, and maybe more, will kill the lights at 8:30 p.m. March 28 for "Earth Hour."

The World Wildlife Fund is sponsoring the global effort to encourage individuals, families, businesses and governments to shut "non-essential" lights off for one hour to bring awareness to climate change. The organization says more than 1,500 cities have committed to participating, including 100 in the United States. "Iconic buildings" scheduled to shut off all or most lights include the Eiffel Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge and the United Nations headquarters.

Today, the Portland City Council is expected to approve a resolution in support of Earth Hour. The resolution pledges to "support extinguishing all non-essential lighting in all city government buildings and public landmarks for the hour between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m" on March 28.

Three normally well-lit properties -- the Rose Garden Arena, Oregon Convention Center and the Made in Oregon sign are on board to go dark, at least on the outside, said Julia Thompson, a spokeswoman for the city's Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. At the Convention Center, the tower lights and exterior lights will be shut off. At the Rose Garden, the bright-burning lights on the outside of the arena will be shut off, as well as the scrolling marquee lights on the building and marquee signs elsewhere on the arena campus. (You can leave the flashlights at home, however. Inside lights will remain lit in both buildings, for Convention Center events and the Grizzlies' game.)