NEWBURYPORT — City leaders want you to turn your lights off.
At least for an hour on March 28.
The City Council passed a resolution Monday asking citizens and businesses to turn off "all non-essential lighting" from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on that Saturday to mark "Earth Hour."
The international event is organized by World Wildlife Fund to raise awareness about climate change and energy efficiency. Cities and towns across the United States and from other countries have agreed to take part.
Newburyport became the second Massachusetts community, after Acton, to sign on to the symbolic event. Boston announced today it would join the initiative as well.
The resolution was sponsored by Councilors Kathleen O'Connor Ives and Ed Cameron.
While a "simple and symbolic act," Earth Hour is an important step for the city to show its commitment to conserving energy and raising awareness on environmental issues, Cameron said.
Molly Ettenborough offered the support of the city's Energy Advisory Committee and the Eco-Collaborative.
"We will support the initiative and get the word out," she told councilors.
Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007. Its goal for 2009 is to have 1 billion people switch off their lights.
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