GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Century Tower will go dark this weekend as the University of Florida observes Earth Hour. Earth Hour is a worldwide effort to turn off lights between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 27 to save energy and demonstrate a commitment to fighting climate change.The lights around Century Tower and lights on fountains and on outdoor art installations will be off from Friday evening until Monday morning. The University Athletic Association also confirmed additional campus spots that will go dark for the weekend include the stadium north end signs, the basketball lobby, the Gate 18 donor lights and Ben Hill Griffin signage on Stadium Road West. Additionally, the electronic marquees at several entrances to the UF campus will be dark from 5 p.m. Friday until noon Saturday.
This is the third year UF has encouraged students, faculty and staff to participate in Earth Hour and the second year campus landmarks have been turned off. Turning off lights at Century Tower and other campus icons will symbolize the school’s commitment to sustainability without affecting lights on streets, sidewalks or parking garages to ensure campus safety isn’t compromised.
“We are glad to be a part of this global movement to bring awareness to energy conservation,” Prizzia said. “We hope darkening our campus icons will inspire people to contemplate their own energy impacts.”
The office will also urge students, especially those living in residence halls, to turn off nonessential lighting during Earth Hour.
Earth Hour started three years ago in Sydney, Australia, and became a global event in 2008 when more than 400 cities turned off extra lights, including those at the Sydney Opera House, the Coliseum and the Empire State Building, according to the World Wildlife Fund Web site.
For more information about Earth Hour nationally visit https://www.myearthhour.org/home
Contact: Ashley Pennington.
