Redevelopment of Norris University Center’s East Lawn to begin this summer
April 5, 2024
EVANSTON, Ill. --- Northwestern University students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in Earth Hour Saturday, March 28, to raise awareness and facilitate positive action for climate change.
From 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Chicago time, people all around the world will turn off lights and electronics in a symbolic event promoting practices for a cleaner and more energy-efficient planet. This year’s theme is “Use #YourPower to Change Climate Change.”
Earth Hour aims to inspire and empower individuals, businesses and governments around the world to push climate change to the top of the agenda.
“Before leaving work for the weekend, please shut down lights, computers, printers, copiers and unplug unneeded electrical items,” said Robert Whittier, director of sustainability at Northwestern. “We hope Earth Hour will inspire the Northwestern community to be aware of energy consumption and continue environmentally conscious habits.”
Students, faculty and staff can commit to making healthy and sustainable choices to benefit themselves and Northwestern by taking the “sustainNU green pledge" or applying for Green Office Certification in the workspace.
Among 44 participating U.S. cities, Evanston was named the 2015 U.S. Earth Hour Capital by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Chicago received the honor in 2014. This is the seventh year Northwestern’s Evanston and Chicago campuses have participated in the worldwide event.
Earth Hour began as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia, in 2007. Since then, more than 162 countries and territories worldwide have participated in the event.
Earth Hour is supported by a network of corporations, non-governmental organizations and nonprofits and is organized by the WWF, one of the world’s largest conservation organizations.
To learn more about Northwestern’s commitment to the environment, visit the Office of Sustainability website or subscribe to the sustainNU newsletter.
