This Saturday, March 23rd, non-essential lights in the City County Building will be turned off from 7-8 p.m. as the City of Knoxville participates in the annual World Wildlife Fund Earth Hour. The WWF each year encourages residents, businesses and governments around the world to turn off lights in symbolic support of energy conservation.

This year, for the first time, WWF is sponsoring an Earth Hour Challenge for cities committed to a range of sustainability goals and practices. Knoxville is one of 29 U.S. cities participating, and along with Nashville one of only two in Tennessee. (For details, see the WWF website at https://worldwildlife.org/stories/knoxville-s-sustainability-success-story.)

"Knoxville is proud to be a WWF Earth Hour Challenge Partner because we've found that leadership in energy efficiency and sustainable best practice is good for the environment and good for taxpayers," said Mayor Madeline Rogero.

The City of Knoxville has participated in Earth Hour each year since 2009. In addition to shutting off lights at the City County Building, the City encourages other institutions, businesses and local residents to also observe the hour.

"This is a small step people can take that helps remind us all to be aware of our energy use," said Susanna Sutherland, director of the City's Office of Sustainability. "Energy efficiency saves everybody money, and it also conserves natural resources and protects the local and global environment."