Earth Hour March 30: 60 Minutes to Protect the Planet

Cook County will turn off its non-essential lights March 30 to commemorate Earth Hour and call attention to climate change. The Cook County Department of Facilities Management will save energy – and send a message about the role all of us can play in cutting harmful greenhouse gas emissions – by turning off lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the County Building, the Dunne Administration Building and nine other facilities located in Chicago and five other municipalities throughout Cook County.

Want to do more to reduce your carbon footprint? You can get started by calculating your own carbon footprint as it relates to your home energy use, transportation and waste choices and then participating in Earth Hour in your home. Saturday evening seems like a great time to play a board game lit by a battery-operated LED candle. Beyond Earth Hour, the World Wildlife Fund has suggestions for easy changes to make your lifestyle greener, including tips on energy use, water use, food choices and cooking.

For information on smart energy use, including free energy efficiency programs for your home, visit our website or contact Sarah Edwards at sarah.edwards@cookcountyil.gov.