earth hour

Las Vegas and Reno participate in worldwide event meant to recognize climate change.

By JASON WOEHRLE | May/June 2010

For the second year in a row, all hotel-casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, along with several off-Strip properties, turned off marquees and non-essential exterior lighting for Earth Hour. The “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign also went dark.

Earth Hour, which took place Saturday, March 27, is an annual event in which millions of Americans turn out their lights for one hour in support of action on climate change and towards creating a cleaner, safer, and more secure future. At least 20 states, 65 cities, and 11 counties in the U.S. dimmed lights for Earth Hour 2010. “Las Vegas once again demonstrated to the world its commitment in taking action on climate change,” says Leslie Aun, Earth Hour US Managing Director. “We very much hope other cities will follow Las Vegas’ lead.”

Clark County and City of Las Vegas leaders agree. “Earth Hour is something Clark County is proud to participate in because it emphasizes the conservation we practice and promote year-round,” County Commissioner Larry Brown says. “People need a reminder that change begins at home, and change can start with something as small as flipping off a light switch.”

2010 marked the third year of Earth Hour, which attracted more than 80 million participants in the U.S. in 2009, and nearly a billion people around the world, as lights dimmed on such global icons as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Sydney’s Opera House, the Great Pyramids of Gaza, and New York’s Empire State Building.

In addition to the Las Vegas Strip, U.S. landmarks such as Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, St. Louis’ Gateway Arch, Sea World in Orlando, New York’s Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Washington D.C.’s National Cathedral, California’s Santa Monica Pier, and the Space Needle in Seattle are among the hundreds of sites that turned off non-essential lighting for the hour. Outside the U.S., at least 800 cities in 80 countries took part in Earth Hour 2010, including Athens, Bangkok, Cape Town, Delhi, Dubai, Geneva, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Manila, Moscow, Rome, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Tel Aviv, and Toronto. Cities participating for the first time included Stockholm and Hiroshima.

In Reno, the Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino, and Circus Circus Hotel and Casino went dark in honor of the environment. The Eldorado turned off its pink neon exterior lights, Silver Legacy Resort shut the green exterior tower lights down, and Circus Circus cut power to its exterior lighting and signs. Dozens of other businesses in the Reno area participated.

About Earth Hour:

Since its inception three years ago, Earth Hour has captured the world’s imagination becoming a global phenomenon. Last year, for Earth Hour 2009 nearly one billion people in 4,100 cities in 87 countries on seven continents turned out. In the U.S. alone, 80 million Americans and 318 cities officially voted for action with their light switch.

About World Wildlife Fund:

WWF is the world’s largest conservation organization, working in 100 countries for nearly half a century. With the support of almost 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, stop the degradation of the environment and combat climate change. Visit worldwildlife.org to learn more.