eco-events

Okay - get these dates on your calendar:
October 20th is Lights Out SF and October 25th starts the SF Climate Challenge.

Don't live in San Francisco? You can still participate!

Lights Out San Francisco is a citywide energy conservation event on October 20, 2007 from 8-9 p.m. On this night, citizens of San Francisco are invited to install one compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) and turn off all non-essential lighting for one hour. Organizers estimate that turning lights out in San Francisco for even one hour could save as much as 15 percent of the energy consumed on an average Saturday night. The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, The Bay Bridge and the TransAmerica (pyramid) Building have all signed on to turn out their lights.

It is a pretty exciting effort since it is receiving national news coverage and other cities are joining in. It isn't too late to get your city to participate! If you think you might need more time to organize, definitely check out the Lights out America campaign, set to do the same event on a national level March 29, 2008 from 8-9 p.m.

SF Climate Challenge is a contest to "save energy at home for one month and compete with others to win great prizes. The contest is among teams of five or more households. There are several ways to get involved. You can start your own team with your friends, families or coworkers. You can join an existing team. Or you can just sign up solo as part of your local neighborhood team." If you don't live in San Francisco you cannot officially compete for prizes, but you can still organize a challenge with your friends or neighbors (or on your own).

SF Climate Challenge is a joint project of One Atmosphere, SF Environment, and the Sierra Club. Register for the Challenge by October 24th, 2007. The Challenge begins on October 25th.