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What are you doing for Earth Hour?

If you're out and about in the bright lights, big city on Saturday night, you might notice a distinct darkening of some bright lights right around 8:30 p.m.

If you're out and about in the bright lights, big city on Saturday night, you might notice a distinct darkening of some bright lights right around 8:30 p.m.

That's because 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. local time is Earth Hour, a project that will have lights going off around the world, sweeping across time zones hour by hour.

This is a big celebration dreamed up and implemented by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Even the spotlights on the Great Pyramids in Giza will turn off for the hour - ditto the Acropolis, the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building. People and institutions worldwide are signing up to do something "green" during that hour and turn off their electronics for the duration. You can find a wealth of information about these at the Earth Hour site.

That said, the concept is not without its detractors. Some people wonder what will really be accomplished, noting that turning off lights in a house doesn't actually affect the amount of power generated down at the electric company. Others point out that most candles, as a petroleum by-product that is burned, are not even as green as regular light bulbs. Still others, and this includes Earth to Philly, wonder about all the additional electricty being used by the multitudes who are making and/or showing special videos for Earth Hour, as prompted by WWF.

Still, if you want to be part of an international effort that may wind up being shared by a billion people, mark your calendar for 8:30 Saturday night, and get ready to party in the dark! If you're in Philadelphia, there are scattered events at places such as the Zoo and at Marbar at 40th and Walnut, though since Philly is only a "Participating City" rather than a "Key City," there doesn't seem to be one good central location to find everything that's going on. (The Philadelphia section of the Earth Hour site just links to the city's Web page - man, we can't get a break, first the Naked Bike Ride, now this!)

If you're doing something around town, or if you have a source that rounds up everything that's happening, feel free to post it here and we'll update. Meanwhile, the indefatiguable Treehugger.com is collecting ideas for activities from all over. At any rate, see you - or rather, not, due to the darkness - at 8:30 p.m. Saturday night!