[ Start Earth Month with Earth Hour March 31 ]

If things seem a bit darker Saturday, March 31st, it’s because people are responsibly turning off the lights. The world celebrates Earth Hour at 8:30 p.m., March 31st in every time zone across the planet. Be a part of it by turning your lights out for an hour here in Portland.Earth Hour began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. The mass lights out showed that everyone, from children to CEOs and politicians, had the power to change the world they live in. In Sydney, 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights out for one hour to take a stand against climate change. It has since grown global, and now hundreds of millions of people in over 135 countries flip their switches off for an hour. It’s easy to do, and it could even become a habit. Some people take charge and turn off once a month or even once a week. You can light candles and play games, or read or simply enjoy your thoughts for an hour. But one thing is for sure, you won’t be alone on Earth Hour 2012 at 8:30 p.m.