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Lights Out, Green In, Lawmakers Team Up to Flip the Switch for Earth Week

Posted on: Wednesday, 22 April 2009, 12:01 CDT

PROVIDENCE, RI, April 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lights Out, Green In, a nonprofit that promotes conservation, and lawmakers from coast to coast have joined forces during Earth Week in an effort to raise awareness of a simple way to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Lights Out, Green In's main mission is to get households and businesses that have access to sufficient natural sunlight to turn off their lights from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day.

In the days leading up to Earth Day, April 22, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Nevada passed resolutions in support of the all-volunteer Lights Out, Green In and its simple message of conservation. The organization encourages people and businesses to take the 11 a.m.-1 p.m. pledge at its Web site www.lightsoutgreenin.org/pledge.html in order to foster the feeling of a collective effort.

State Sen. John F. McBurney III is the main sponsor of Rhode Island's effort and his actions will help raise awareness of an easy way to fight global warming, as well as save money.

"Global warming is a serious issue, and energy conservation is an important step toward slowing its effects," Sen. McBurney said. "I would encourage everyone to do their part in protecting our natural environment, beginning with the simple act of turning out the lights."

Lights Out, Green In, which has received scores of pledges from households and businesses up and down the East Coast, also has a partnership with the Rhode Island Community Food Bank to distribute low-energy light bulbs to low-income residents. The resolutions were sponsored by: State Rep. Denis E. Guyer (Massachusetts); State Sen. Michael Schneider (Nevada); McBurney (Rhode Island).

"There is no downside and it is going to save people money," Guyer said. "People sometimes feel like they can't make a difference, but doing this will empower people."

"Turning off your lights when natural sunlight will light your home or office can add up to savings in your wallet and cutting greenhouse gas emissions," said Lights Out, Green In executive director Matt Martinelli. "The world is at a tipping point with climate change and this type of collective action is needed to stop this problem from worsening."

http://www.lightsoutgreenin.org/

SOURCE Lights Out, Green In

Source: PR Newswire

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