Earth Hour: It's Lights Out For Mother Earth Tonight

Tonight at 8:30 p.m., people around the world will switch off the lights, turn off the TV and shut down their computers for Earth Hour, which started four years ago in Sydney, Australia, when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change.

Earth Hour soon became a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries/territories participating. Global landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Sydney Harbour Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a more sustainable planet.

Here in Half Moon Bay, many in the community plan to participate, including some very busy points of interest for residents and tourists alike.

“We’ll turn off the lights in the Harbor without jeopardizing anyone’s safety,” says Deputy Harbormaster Cary Smith. “Most of the harbor, street and parking lot lights are on an automatic timer, but we will still reduce what we can keeping everyone’s safety in mind.”

Organized by WWF, which works to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and build a future where people live in harmony with nature, Earth Hour became the biggest ever last year. A record 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. An increase in Earth Hour participation is estimated for this year as well.

At Oceano Hotel & Spa, tonight will be busy with two weddings and two corporate groups in house and a school auction at the Shoppes at Harbor Village mall, but that won’t stop the certified green hotel from letting guests know about Earth Hour.

“When guests check-in at the front desk throughout the day and evening, our staff will inform them about Earth Hour and what’s going on for the night so they can participate in their own way whether it's turning off their computers and television or just keeping their room lights off for that hour,” says event manager Jennifer Pickart.

Even local restaurants are getting into the mix. Cameron’s Restaurant & Inn, for example, plans to turn off the inside lights and light some candles.

“We’ll also turn off some other auxiliary lights, at least the ones that we can get away with,” says owner Cameron Palmer. “The only thing that will remain on is the cash register, so we can remain open,” he laughs.

Still, this year, Earth Hour organizers are asking people to go beyond the hour, so when the lights go back on, everyone is encouraged to think about what they can change in their daily life that will benefit the planet.