Los Angeles to play it up big for Earth Hour

Theatres, schools and landmarks across Los Angeles are also expecting to play a big part in this year’s Earth Hour, set for 8:30 p.m. on 28 March.

First established by the WWF in 2007, Earth Hour encourages people worldwide to switch off their lights for one hour in an effort to raise awareness for action on climate change.

Among the familiar LA landmarks planning to turn out their lights in a show of support are the Capitol Records Tower and the Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel. Hotels, restaurants and bars across the city also plan to host Dine by Candlelight events featuring special Earth Hour menu items.

Two performers for the city’s Groundlings troupe — Larry Dorf  and Andrew Friedman — have even created a comic “dark” video in advance of Earth Hour LA. The video can be viewed online at EarthHourUS.org/LosAngeles and YouTube.

More than 1,000 cities in 80-plus countries have so far signed on to participate in Earth Hour 2009, according to the WWF, shaping it up to become “one of the greatest voluntary actions the world has ever seen.”