Come and spend an hour in my tower, with no power!

Ok, it's a cheesy title, but I couldn't resist combining a bad 70's pick up phrase with an agent of social change.. I'm kinda like that.

Anyhoo.. Earth Hour.

It started with a question: How can we inspire people to take action on climate change?

The answer: Ask the people of Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour.

On 31 March 2007, 2.2 million people and 2100 Sydney businesses turned off their lights for one hour - Earth Hour. If the greenhouse reduction achieved in the Sydney CBD during Earth Hour was sustained for a year, it would be equivalent to taking 48,616 cars off the road for a year.

With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off, and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.

For more info go here.

As part of my family's commitment to SOLE and all that it entails, we'll be taking 3 of the kids into Melbourne (Yeah, I know.. carbon emissions.. but the 4th kid has a function in town, and we made the decision to stay in the city for the duration of the party, and then pick her up, rather than make 2 return trips).

Before we leave, we're turning off all out appliances at the wall (except fridge and freezer), and we're packing a SOLE picnic dinner to have in town. We have spoken to the kids about Earth Hour and why we're doing it.

I am hoping to find out if there are any candle powered events in town, at Birrarung Mar or Fed Square. I'd appreciate it if anyone knows it there is anything on in town, otherwise we'll just find a park, or have our picnic in Fed Square. Any Melbournites are welcome to bring a basket and join us!

So, what are YOU doing for Earth Hour??