(Miami, FL) The City of Miami has been chosen as a Flagship City by the World Wildlife Fund for Earth Hour 2009, the international climate change awareness campaign. Earth Hour promotes international attention to the threats of climate change and urges individuals, businesses and governments to commit to voluntarily and safely turning out their lights for one hour at 8:30pm on Saturday, March 28, 2009. This week, the City of Miami is sponsoring a variety of events to spread the word about Earth Hour. Mayor Manny Diaz, known for his strong support of environmental initiatives for the city, is also encouraging residents and businesses to host their own Earth Hour events in celebration and to further promote community and international collaboration in the face of global climate change. 

“We are honored to be named a Flagship City for 2009. Earth Hour is just one step we can take to support environmental sustainability across the City,” says Mayor Diaz. “It is a call to action on climate change and a more sustainable Miami.”

Last year, the City of Miami earned the proud distinction of being the first American city to turns off its lights, at a special kickoff event at the iconic Bank of America Tower at International Place. WWF VP Leslie Aun came to the City of Miami the Monday before Earth Hour to join Mayor Diaz in celebration of Miami’s active role and the participation of a number of iconic buildings. 

While the core initiative of this year’s campaign remains the same – to turn off the lights for one hour – 2009 will also emphasize long-term sustainable goals. The City of Miami campaign is asking businesses, schools and residents to think about how they can incorporate Earth Hour into their daily lives, from turning out lights when leaving a room, unplugging unnecessary electronic equipment to turning off decorative lighting on buildings late at night on a regular basis.

During Earth Hour 2009, Miami will once again turn off or dim the lights at many of Miami’s buildings and famous landmarks, including the Bank of America Tower, the Freedom Tower, and City Hall.  Suburban mayors, businesses, schools, universities, building and condo associations, hotels and many others have already committed to participating.  

Here’s how individuals, businesses and organizations can participate in Earth Hour 2009: 
•                     Register at http://www.earthhourus.org/
•                     Turn off your lights from 8:30-9:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, March 28, 2009
•                     During that hour, replace your old light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs
•                     Commit to reducing your energy consumption in the year ahead
•                     Visit http://www.earthhourus.org/ to find out how to continue making a difference in the fight against climate change after Earth Hour, such as writing to your elected officials

Earth Hour is a completely voluntary program. Planners for the event have been working closely with city public safety officials and building engineers to ensure that while Miami makes a dramatic statement with its lights out, it will do so safely.  Just as in 2008, street lights, lobby lights in public spaces, hospital lights and any lights deemed to impact public safety or vital services will remain on. It is also strongly recommended to use flashlights instead of candles during Earth Hour.

To register for Earth Hour or for more ideas about how to celebrate Earth Hour, visit http://www.earthhourus.org/

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Signature Earth Hour Miami events will take place during the week leading up to and including Earth Hour on Saturday, March 28, including:

Event: Next-In-Line-Young Professionals networking event
Date: March 25 (Wednesday)
Time: 7:00 -9:30
Location: Cabana One, Mayfair Hotel
Contact: Sasha Dolciger - sdolgicer@beaconcouncil.com   

Event: Mayor’s Earth Hour Kickoff Event
Date: March 26 (Thursday)
Time: 6:00– 8:00
Location: Bank of America Tower at International Place – Sky Terrace
Summary: VIP/Invite-only Press Event – Mayor will turn off lights (symbolically & temporarily) at 7:50pm

Event: MiaSci Networker at Miami Science Museum (Mayor’s Event ‘AfterParty’)
Date: March 26 (Thursday)
Time: 6:00-11:00
Location: Miami Science Museum
Summary: a “Happy Hour with Substance” Young professionals, science aficionados, art enthusiasts and other 21-45 year olds - open bar, hors d’oeuvres, our exhibits and the sounds of renowned South Florida DJs.
Contact: Adriana Villar avillar@miamisci.org   

Event: Chamber Green Luncheon at Sonesta Hotel
Date: March 27 (Friday)
Time: 12:00 – 2:00 pm
Location: The Sonesta Hotel in the Grove
Summary: Featured speakers Edith McClintock of Dream in Green Foundation and Robert Ruano, City of Miami's Director of Sustainable Initiatives, Noel Gourmelen, PhD student at Geodesy Laboratory, Division of Marine Geology and Geophysics, UM Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, just back from a project in Antarctica, with a fantastic slide presentation, and Frank Couzo, Sales & Marketing Director of Sonesta, the first green hotel in the Grove.  Featuring the Wines of the sustainable local winery, Schnebley.  Contact: Richard Issa – info@coconutgrove.com 

Event: Earth Hour on the Rooftop
Date: March 28 Saturday
Time: 8:00-9:30 pm
Location: MDCC Wolfson Campus on rooftop of building 3, 5th floor
Summary: Showcase Generation Engage Project Switch & Save video, website, marketing materials and speech by an Ambassador about the project. Band and food will be provided
Contact: Ali Ingersoll ali.ingersoll@generationengage.com

Event: A Night Under the Brickell Stars
Date: March 28 Saturday
Time:  7:00-10:00 pm
Location: Mary Brickell Village
Summary: Come and enjoy an intimate dining experience at one of our many fine restaurants and shopping while relished in soothing music under the Earth Hour Stars
Contact: Cecilia Maldonado cmaldonado@marybrickellvillage.com  

Event: Miami Children’s Museum
Date: March 28 Saturday
Time: 3:00-6:00 pm
Location: Miami Children’s Museum 980 Mac Arthur Causeway, Miami Fl 33132 http://www.miamichildrensmuseum.org/
Summary: The Museum will feature Earth Hour Activities through the event.
Contact: Danielle Black Danielle@miamichildrensmuseum.org 

Event: Miami Science Museum – Earth Hour Fair for the Family
Date: March 28 Saturday
Time: 12:00-4:00 pm
Location: The Miami Science Museum
Summary:  Daytime kid-friendly activities
Contact: Adriana Villar avillar@miamisci.org   

Event: Leadership Miami: Bike the Grove Bike Rack Ribbon Cutting
Date: March 28 Saturday
Time: 4:00-6:00 pm
Location: Peacock Park
Summary: An inauguration of a Lebo-designed bicycle rack. About 200 cyclists expected. 
Contact: Laura Molina, fiumarine@gmail.com   

Event: Grove Chamber’s Dinner & a Movie series at Arts & Minds Center
Date: March 28 Saturday
Time: 8:00 pm
Location:  3138 Commodore Plaza
Summary: Candlelight dinner on the terrace at Al Fresco Restaurant, with an outdoor screening of Al Gore's award winning documentary, "An Inconvenient Truth". 
Contact/Reservations: info@coconutgrove.com   

Event: CocoWalk Earth Hour Celebration
Date: March 28 Saturday
Time: TBD
Location: CocoWalk in the Grove
Summary: at restaurants and shops: screening of new version of Day the Earth Stood Still
Contact: Cynthia Bettner - cbettner@cocowalk.net 

Event: Ultra Music Festival
Date: March 28 Saturday
Time:  8:30 pm – 9:30pm
Location: Bicentennial Park 301 North Biscayne Boulevard Miami, Florida 33132
Summary: Stop by the Earth Hour booth at the UMF event. UMF will turn off nonessential lights.
Contact: Heather Read heath.read@gmail.com