DEP urges participation in ‘Earth Hour'

Event increases awareness about energy usage and waste HARRISBURG — By simply turning off non-essential lighting in homes and businesses for a period of one hour this weekend, Environmental Protection acting Secretary John Hanger says Pennsylvanians can participate in one of the largest climate events in history. Earth Hour is the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) symbolic attempt to raise awareness that wasting energy also wastes money and impacts the environment. Participants are asked to turn off unused lights in their homes and businesses from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28. “This Saturday evening, participants may learn just how wasteful unnecessary energy consumption really is,” Hanger said. “An act so simple may not seem like much, but when multiplied millions of times over, it really can make a difference.” Earth Hour originated in Australia in 2007. WWF expanded the event globally in 2008 when an estimated tens of millions participated. This year the goal is more than one billion participants worldwide.