FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Chuck Myron

Environmental and Peace Education Center

P: (863) 273-1090

E: cmyron@onemain.com

Nearly 1 billion to go dark for Earth Hour

Southwest Florida joins worldwide effort to slow climate change

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 17, 2010) — One hour of darkness will shed light on climate change around the world and in Southwest Florida.

The Environmental and Peace Education Center (EPEC), a Fort Myers-based nonprofit group, is encouraging local residents, business and civic groups to take part in Earth Hour 2010, a global call to action on climate change.

Nearly a billion people, landmarks like the Empire State Building, Sydney Opera House and Las Vegas strip, and officially more than 800 cities in 80 countries will turn off all nonessential lighting for one hour beginning at 8:30 p.m. local time Saturday March 27.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is organizing the annual event, which began in 2007 with 2.2 million participants and has grown rapidly into the world’s largest climate change initiative.

Getting involved is as simple as a flip of the switch, EPEC president Tom Guelcher said. Another way to help is by installing new energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs.

“It’s particularly appropriate, here in the winter home of Thomas Edison, that we participate in the Earth Hour lights out event,” Guelcher said.

EPEC aims to unite Southwest Floridians in an effort to encourage state and local governments to join the Earth Hour movement.

Florida is not one of 19 states that have officially pledged to take part, despite the state’s vulnerability to an increased risk of floods, erosion and powerful hurricanes as climate change moves forward.

To find out more, visit earthhour.org.

About EPEC

The Environmental and Peace Education Center, founded in 1982, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Fort Myers and dedicated to raising awareness of nonviolent conflict resolution and global sustainability across Southwest Florida.