Were you in the dark for Earth Hour?

We sat in the dark on our front deck looking down at the valley of lights that is Metropolitan Phoenix. Our home was completely dark as were our neighbors’ homes. Would the lights in Phoenix dim suddenly, dramatically? Phoenix was one of four U.S. cities chosen to participate in Earth Hour. Already, cities around the world, Sydney, Melbourne, Bangkok, Budapest, Athens, Dublin and London had dimmed their lights in support of caring for the Earth’s environment.
“What’s amazing is that it’s transcending political boundaries and happening in places like China, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea,” said Andy Ridley, executive director of Earth Hour. “It really seems to have resonated.”
But from our viewpoint, about twenty miles from downtown Phoenix, it was apparent that much of Phoenix did not turn off their lights. Only a five-block area of the central city was in near darkness, with many businesses and restaurants participating. It was a start, but for a city that prides itself on living the outdoor life, with beautiful weather and countless natural parks and mountain reserves…it should have been, lights out!