We just wrapped up another Earth Hour last Saturday.  Millions of people around the world turned off their lights for 60 short minutes to show visible support for saving energy.

If you looked at the skyline of any major American city, though, you might not know it was Earth Hour.  Some buildings turned off the beacons, flood lights and decorative arrays that make them stand out at night; but a lot did not … almost in defiance of Earth Hour.

Can’t we have one city turn off all its building illumination and send a different message next year?  I’m not talking about safety or security lighting, but all decorative illumination on every building. 

If just one American city could really go totally dark for one hour, the message would be clear:  “We are trying to save energy; not waste it.”

Is your city up for the challenge?

With this month’s Sustainablity Sessions webcast on “Lighting Upgrade and Efficiency Strategies” and the Earth Hour event on March 31^st, I’ve got lamps, ballasts and Fiji on my mind. Why Fiji? Well, who wouldn’t want to be thinking about Fiji? More about Fiji in a minute.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of Earth Hour. An event where individuals, businesses, and cities across the globe turn out their lights for one hour in support of the planet. As a personal fan of the organization’s Facebook page, I have been continually fed inspiring messages from their “I Will If You Will” campaign. A campaign where people submit YouTube videos explaining what they are willing to do to save the planet. One entry that stood out to me was His Excellency the President of Fiji, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau’s call to action. This 70 year old leader of a nation, commited to walking 30 kilometers (about 18 ½ miles) to raise awareness on climate issues while daring his fellow Fijians to also take action in support of the planet. Although this is a voluntary one-hour event, businesses may find themselves in the dark if they don’t keep on top of upcoming regulations regarding lighting here in the US and around the globe.

As part of our Sustainability Sessions webcast this month, three of our portfolio energy managers, Larry Lubeck, Chris Studney and Frank Teng touched on upcoming lamp phase outs taking affect this summer here in the US. This summer, most 4’ T12’s, T8 SP’s, T12 U-6 and U-3 will be phased out along with a few halogen PAR lamps. These regulations along with exciting new technologies in lamps and wireless controls are empowering businesses to take action for the planet through lighting.

You can take a look at inspiring photos of the world’s most iconic buildings participating in the Earth Hour event here. Perhaps these pictures will inspire you to take action and participate in this year’s Earth Hour event. I will. Will you?

How much energy can you save by turning off a light? It depends on how many times you do it.

The Jones Lang LaSalle Latin American team in Brazil first participated in Earth Hour in 2008, and our effort continues to grow. Last year, we achieved a reduction of 11,216 kWh for our clients, equivalent to almost 4 tons of CO2 emissions. The total energy savings by Jones Lang LaSalle managed properties in Latin America was the equivalent of almost two acres of pine trees absorbing CO2 for a year, or taking a car off the streets for six months, or a house without electricity for nearly four months.

On March 31st, Brazil will participate in Earth Hour again. On that day, from 20:30 pm to 21:30 pm, Jones Lang LaSalle will turn the nonessential lights off in our own offices in Brazil, and we will mobilize the people that manage 100 properties in the country. The company will also encourage all its customers, partners, suppliers and employees to be part of the event. This symbolic act will join millions of citizens and companies around the world in considering the future of our planet.

By turning off the lights, Brazil can show the world that we can work together for a sustainable future for humanity. Yes, turning off a light for an hour is a small action. But it proves that we can make a big change in our way of living, by thinking and working as a community.

Don’t forget! Earth Hour is coming up: This Saturday, March 31st 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Make sure to do your part and participate!