In conjunction with http://www.earthhourus.org/ Sat 8:30pm Local Time - Clear Skies - Kurt ============================= From the Trib 3/27 http://www.sltrib.com/ci_12004849 Earth Hour puts focus on climate change Saturday Lights out LDS Church, Utah's capital city join worldwide event By Judy Fahys The Salt Lake Tribune Updated: 03/27/2009 11:18:54 AM MDT Many times the Las Vegas Strip and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints don't see eye to eye, but they will this Saturday. During "Earth Hour," Sin City and the iconographic temple of the Saints go dark for 60 minutes beginning at 8:30 p.m. local time as part of the worldwide effort to focus on climate change. The World Wildlife Fund, organizer of Earth Hour, has signed up 2,400 cities in 82 countries. That's eight times as many participants as last year, when more than 36 million people took part. The lights-off hour is called a potent symbol of what can happen through collective action. "Climate Change is a growing international crisis no country can afford to overlook," said Egypt's First Lady Suzanne Mubarak. "Global warming negatively impacts the environment as well as the health and livelihoods of people worldwide. "Earth Hour heightens awareness and brings hope to the preservation of our shared planet's precious environment today and for generations to come." Salt Lake City will be participating by turning off the lights at the downtown City County Building. Marriott hotels worldwide will be a part, as will McDonald's, the National Geographic Society, Wells Fargo and other businesses. The lights on the Salt Lake Temple will be turned off 8:30 - 9:30 p.m., said LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter. But lights associated with public safety, including those illuminating the sidewalks and visitor centers on Temple Square, will remain on. "Prudent stewardship and wise use of resources are principles that Church leaders have emphasized throughout the history of the Church," said Trotter. "The Church encourages its members to join with their fellow citizens in supporting worthy programs that will make their communities better places to live and raise their families." fahys@sltrib.com