Turning Off The Lights In West Orange For ‘Earth Hour’ 2021

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Sometimes a dimmed light can be a beacon of hope.

On Saturday, March 27, environmentalists in West Orange will be among those who take part in “Earth Hour,” an annual international effort that aims to raise awareness about energy conservation.

During Earth Hour – which takes place from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. – people in nearly 180 countries and more than 7,000 cities will turn off their lights for an hour. Learn more here.

Councilwoman Susan McCartney has been registering the Township of West Orange as an Earth Hour participating municipality since 2010.

According to McCartney, council liaison for the West Orange Environmental Commission (WOEC), the 2021 celebration will include the group’s annual Earth Hour Event on March 24 at Thomas Edison National Historical Park.

McCartney said a team of students at Stevens Institute in Hoboken has been invited to create a “conceptual” sustainability management plan for the Township of West Orange as part of their coursework, which will be unveiled at the event.

Members of the WOEC will plan, schedule and record the guest speakers and student presentations.

Meanwhile, local residents taking part in the annual campaign will be able to see the results of their efforts by looking at the New York city skyline on Saturday, McCartney pointed out.

“With New York City as a registered participating Earth Hour city, one of the highlights on Saturday, March 27 at 8:30 p.m. will be to watch the nonessential NYC lights dim from the many panoramic views of the city right here in West Orange,” McCartney said.

• See related article: Movement To Save Butterflies, Pollinators Growing In Essex County
• See related article: NJ Commits $100 Million To Environmental Justice Projects

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