Representative Engel Urges Americans To Turn Off Their Lights
Press Release
Representative Engel Urges Americans To Turn Off Their Lights
Congressman Eliot Engel is encouraging everyone to "vote for the Earth" by turning off their lights from 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, March 28. The global conservation organization, WWF (World Wildlife Fund) initiated "Vote Earth" to make a world-wide statement for fighting climate change, in anticipation of the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this December.
Earth Hour began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia where 2.2 million households and companies turned off their lights for an hour. In 2008, Earth Hour went global and had 100 million participants in 35 countries. According to WWF, so far in 2009, just under 2400 cities spanning 83 countries have agreed to participate. These cities include - London, Paris, Moscow, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Toronto and many others. The goal is to have one billion people participate in 2009.
"I encourage everyone to take one hour to not only turn off their lights, but their non-essential appliances and electronic equipment as well. If it is a nice night, take a walk with your family and look at the stars. You will be amazed at how quickly the hour will pass," said Rep. Engel. "In the process, you will be standing up for our planet and letting the world know that policy and behavioral changes must be made immediately."
Congressman Engel is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and has long been an advocate for legislation to protect the world from the threat of climate change. This month, he introduced The Open Fuel Standards Act (H.R. 1476) would require half of all cars made or sold in America by 2012, and 80% by 2015, to be flexible fuel vehicles. These vehicles would be able to run on gasoline, or alcohol-based fuels such as methanol or ethanol, or a combination of both.
"I applaud the work being done by WWF to energize the world on March 28 to demonstrate how important this issue is to them. I will continue to play my part in the United States Congress to craft America's energy policy that takes the threat of climate change seriously. Together we can all make a difference," said Rep. Engel.
Source