A Random Man on Planet Earth: Earth Hour is on today (28th March 2009)

Here is some information on Earth Hour (which began in Sydney, Australia - two years ago) from Julia Marton-Lefevre (Director General, IUCN) that came through the climate-l listserve today. So don't forget at 8-30pm local time to turn off your lights for 1 hour.
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Dear Friends and Colleagues,
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I’m writing to invite you to join a global environmental action to voice our collective concern about climate change and to show world leaders we are serious about securing a Global Deal on climate in less than 11 months time. On Saturday, 28 March, at 8.30pm local time, cities and towns across the world will turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – sending a powerful message to decision makers that we want an international agreement to reduce global warming by the next UN climate meeting in Copenhagen in December 2009. It is hoped that Earth Hour 2009 will produce the largest-ever groundswell of public support. One billion people in more than 1,000 cities, including businesses, governments and communities, are expected to participate. They will call for firm commitments to combat climate change, which are vital to the future of our planet. Taking the first step is as easy as turning off a light. Encouraging others – entire cities, multinational corporations and people around the world – to perform this simple act for just one hour, makes it possible for everyone to participate. This is why IUCN is supporting Earth Hour, and is asking all of our members to join us in this important action. Earth Hour is being led by WWF, and we will coordinate closely with them and other partners to make this a truly global effort. Two years ago, Earth Hour began in one city, in one country, when more than 2.2 million households and businesses in Sydney turned off their lights for one hour. Last year, Earth Hour reached 370 cities and towns in more than 35 countries across 18 time zones, and the campaign shifted from a Sydney event to a global sustainability movement. Earth Hour 2009 will be even bigger because the threats posed by unchecked climate change are escalating, along with people’s concern. We need every individual, government and business to play a part. Earth Hour provides a constructive platform for engaging these stakeholders and demonstrates the impact we can have when we act together. I hope you will join us in participating in an Earth Hour 2009 event taking place near you, or consider sponsoring one of your own if there is not one already planned. For more information, visit www.earthhour.org and help world leaders see the light on climate by taking action on 28 March.
Thank you and best regards,

Julia Marton-Lefèvre

Director General, IUCN