Minneapolis goes 'lights out' Saturday for Earth Hour

Photo by avanluven

As part of a worldwide event Saturday involving 2,712 cities, towns and municipalities in 83 countries, Minneapolis will dim many of the city's most notable lights to make a statement about climate change.

From 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., the city of Minneapolis says they will be turning off "all uses of electricity in municipal buildings that are not required for life, safety or operations. The decorative lighting on the underside of the Stone Arch Bridge will also be turned off for the night, as will the City Hall's clock tower neon lights." The international event will see major cities darkened around the globe to make a statement about climate change. Individuals are also encouraged to participate at home. Minneapolis cites statistics from the state that say electricity accounts for 35 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota.

Earth Hour began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. Here is the site's video about the event's evolution:
 

The city is keeping a running list of buildings and businesses that will be participating Saturday. There is also a Facebook group.

Here is the list so far:

35W Bridge
5th St. Towers
50 South Sixth
701 Building
Accenture Tower
Campbell Mithun Tower
City of Minneapolis City Hall
Common Roots Cafe
Core Yoga
Hennepin County Library Central
Hennepin County Government Center Plaza
Hennepin County Century Plaza
Hennepin County Environmental Services Building
Hennepin County Family Justice Center
Hennepin County Juvenile Justice Center
IDS Center
LaSalle Plaza
Retek on the Mall
Red Stag Supper Club
Stone Arch Bridge
Target Corporate Offices
US Bancorp Center
US Bank Plaza
Wells Fargo Center
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Center
Xcel Energy - Nicollet Mall

Have you heard of other businesses playing along? Will you be sitting in the dark for an hour on Saturday? Sounds like a rockin' good time.