BROADWAY THEATERS DIM THEIR LIGHTS IN SUPPORT OF EARTH HOUR
Monday, March 23, 2009“They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway…”
(Except on March 28th at 8:30 pm when they go dark for Earth Hour 2009)
BROADWAY THEATERS DIM THEIR LIGHTS IN SUPPORT OF
PLANET EARTH FOR WWF’S GLOBAL CLIMATE EVENT
Thomas Edison’s Lab, Rockefeller Center, Chrysler Building, Space Needle Join Hundreds of Companies, Buildings, Organizations “Turning Out” Across the US
WASHINGTON DC, March 23, 2009 – Support for WWF’s Earth Hour continues to build across the nation as corporations and iconic structures pledge to go dark for the global climate event, which takes place on March 28th at 8:30 p.m.
WWF confirmed today that nearly all of the Broadway theaters in New York City have committed to dimming marquee lights in support of Earth Hour. Also going dark in New York will be Rockefeller Center, the Chrysler Building, Reuters/NASDAQ and Coca-Cola digital billboards/signs in Times Square, the Con-Edison Clock Tower, and Citi Group Center. WWF had announced last week participation from the Empire State Building and United Nations headquarters.
Broadway Goes Green is an ongoing initiative that was recently created to implement green practices both within the theatre community and among theatre-goers,” says Executive Director of The Broadway League, Charlotte St. Martin. “Broadway producer and theatre owners – plus those on stage and behind-the-scenes – are joining together in the quest to keep NYC and our planet healthy and we’re happy to collaborate with partners around the world by dimming the marquees of Broadway theatres during Earth Hour.”
Also on the list, the birthplace of the light bulb, Thomas Edison’s laboratory in West Orange, NJ, will be going dark for Earth Hour.
“Thomas Edison’s invention of the incandescent light bulb more than a century ago played a pivotal role in ushering in an era of unprecedented global technological advancement, and it is that same sort of innovative thinking and resourcefulness that will be key to successfully addressing climate change in the 21st century,” stated Dr. Richard Moss, WWF’s Managing Director of Climate Change.
To date, more than 1,800 cities and towns located in 81 countries have committed to officially going dark for one hour as individuals, businesses, government buildings, schools and major landmarks turn off non-essential lighting in what will be the largest climate event in history. More than 150 cities have signed on to participate in the U.S., including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. A full list of cities can be found at http://www.earthhourus.org/map.php
Many organizations are using Earth Hour as a way to engage their employees and customers in green activities and highlight the work they are doing year-round to lower their carbon footprint and reduce emissions.
Participating companies include: BDO Seidman, The Coca-Cola Company, CB Richard Ellis, Esurance, Fairmont Hotels, Four Seasons, Ingram Companies, JPMorgan Chase, Marriott Hotels, Mattel, McDonald’s, National Geographic Society, Ritz Carlton, Tishman Speyer and Wells Fargo.
WWF officials stressed the importance of safety during Earth Hour, asking that all lighting related to public safety remain on.
More information about Earth Hour and ways to get involved can be found at www.EarthHourUS.org.
National partners for WWF's Earth Hour 2009 are Esurance, Cox Enterprises, The Coca-Cola Company, Wells Fargo and Hewlett-Packard.
Note to Editors: B-roll and Earth Hour still images can be found at http://www.earthhourus.org/broll.php. In addition, the Earth Hour PR team can help facilitate interviews with major participants, including government officials, well-known personalities, and WWF officials discussing their involvement in the lead up to this historic evening.
About World Wildlife Fund and Earth Hour
Earth Hour (www.EarthHourUS.org) is a global initiative of WWF in which millions of people around the world will cast a vote in favor of action on climate change by turning off their lights for one hour on March 28, 2009 at 8:30 pm local time. By voting with their light switches, Earth Hour participants will send a powerful, visual message to their leaders demanding immediate action on climate change. WWF is the world’s leading conservation organization, working in 100 countries for nearly half a century. With the support of almost 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, stop the degradation of the environment and combat climate change. Visit www.worldwildlife.org to learn more.
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Labels: breaking news, pressrelease
