Minneapolis Participating In 'Earth Hour' March 30

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis City Council approved a resolution supporting Earth Hour, and the City of Minneapolis plans on participating in Earth Hour again this year. Residents and businesses are encouraged to show their commitment to burning less fossil fuels by turning off their lights for an hour 8:30-9:30 p.m. March 30.

Earth Hour began as a single-city initiative in Sydney, Australia in 2007 and has grown into a global movement.

"When we burn fossil fuels such as coal and gas, we pump more and more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere," the city said in a statement Friday.

"This buildup creates a blanket effect, trapping in heat around the world. If nothing is done to halt this process, the planet we leave our children will be hotter with more violent weather, fewer species and disrupted systems such as food chains."

In 2015, 38 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Minneapolis came from electricity. The city has set targets of reducing citywide greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2025 (using 2006 as a baseline) and 80 percent by 2050.

Emissions from citywide activities decreased 20.4 percent in 2016 from the 2006 baseline, exceeding the first reduction goal of 15 percent by 2015.

Reduce fossil fuel energy use every hour of the year

Residents and businesses are invited to join Minneapolis in switching off their lights for Earth Hour at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30.

Check out the actions people can take to benefit the planet beyond the hour.