High rise lights go out
for Earth Hour
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| Fermilab will shut off all nonessential lights in Wilson Hall between 8-9 p.m. Saturday as part of Earth Hour. |
Wilson Hall is normally a beacon of the northwestern suburbs, standing bright 15 stories above the prairie that surrounds it. But on Saturday night, the building will join businesses, organizations and homes across the country in darkness.
No, it isn't because of the budget crisis. On Saturday, from 8-9 p.m. Fermilab will participate in Earth Hour, a global movement that hopes to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.
"By turning off the lights in Wilson Hall - the statement is visible. It reminds everyone that there is an issue that we need to be concerned about. It empowers us to some extent to know that there are things that we can do to make a difference," said Rod Walton, Fermilab ecologist.
All nonessential lights in Wilson Hall will shut off at 8 p.m., four hours earlier than normal. Lights necessary for safety and to run experiments and lights in stairwells and control rooms will remain on. Those who need to work on Saturday night should try to do so before or after 8-9 p.m. If you must work during that time, switch lights on. Please remember to switch them off when you leave. All nonessential lights that were switched on after 8 p.m. will shut off again at midnight.
"If we can reduce power to all nonessential electronics it will help to show solidarity," said Wilson Hall building manager John Kent.
Kent hopes that employees will do their part by turning off computers, task lights or any other personal electronics before going home for the weekend.
"Last year when Sydney, Australia did it, they cut energy consumption over 10 percent. If the entire world does it, we're in good shape," Walton said.
For more information on Earth Hour, visit www.earthhour.org.
Building managers interested in participating in Earth Hour can contact John Kent, x4753, jwkent@fnal.gov. For questions on participation, contact Rod Walton, x2565 or rwalton@fnal.gov.
--Rhianna Wisniewski
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