RES 2008-13 EARTH HOUR 2008RESOLUTION NO. 2008-13
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of
Bainbridge Island, Washington, recognizing and participating
in Earth Hour 2008
WHEREAS, the City Council of Bainbridge Island recognizes both the impact of
global climate change and the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and
WHEREAS Earth Hour 2007 resulted in more than 2,000,000 Sydney, Australia
households and businesses turning their lights off for one hour on March 31, 2007, and
WHEREAS this resulted in the reduction of 25,000 tons of carbon dioxide
(equivalent to getting 48,613 cars off the road for one hour), and
WHEREAS Earth Hour 2008 has gone world-wide with commitments to date
from over 17 major cities including San Francisco, Miami, Phoenix, Denver, Chicago,
Vancouver BC, and thousands of organizations, corporations, and individuals to turn non-
essential lights off for one hour from 8.00 p.m. to 9 00 p.m. on March 29, 2008 to
symbolize their commitment to finding climate change solutions, and
WHEREAS, Earth Hour is intended to bring together individuals, organizations,
businesses, and municipalities worldwide to heighten awareness about climate change
,10 and to demonstrate how by working together, individuals, organizations, and cities can
take practical actions to reduce energy consumption and make a difference in the efforts
to stop global warming; and
WHEREAS, turning off nonessential lights for one hour will result not only in a
reduction in carbon emissions but in energy savings and reduced light pollution, and
WHEREAS, Earth Hour is also supported by the International Dark -Sky
Association as part of National Dark -Sky Week, March 29 through April 4, 2008, an
annual event highlighting concern for increasing light pollution, the glow from outdoor
lights that washes out the stars in the night sky; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bainbridge Island has adopted an outdoor lighting
ordinance, Chapter 15.34, with the stated purposes of preserving and enhancing the view
of the dark sky and helping protect natural resources, and
WHEREAS, improper lighting fixtures which direct light up into the sky and are
noncompliant with Chapter 15.34 not only create light pollution but waste energy as well,
and
WHEREAS, participation in Earth Hour will potentially inspire the residents of
Bainbridge Island to make a serious long term commitment to reducing energy
taw consumption and to protecting the dark sky that Bainbridge Island still enjoys, and
WHEREAS, the Battle Point Astronomical Association, a local group of amateur
astronomers, supports the City's participation in the Earth Hour 2008 Initiative as a
means to encourage all Island residents, organizations, governmental entities and
businesses to join with them in deterring light pollution and saving energy with better
outdoor lighting practices, now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WASHINGTON, AS FOLLOWS.
The City Council of the City of Bainbridge Island hereby approves the City of Bainbridge
Island participating in Earth Hour 2008 on March 29, 2008 The City on March 29, 2008
will turn off its non-essential lights and "go dark" for one hour from 8 p.m. to 9 00 p.m.,
thus joining with cities around the world to show support for efforts to address climate
change as well as reduce light pollution.
PASSED by the City Council this 26th day of March, 2008
APPROVED by the Mayor this 27th day of March, 2008
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Darlene Kordonowy, Mayor
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE
Rosalind D Lassoff, AF
City Clerk
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK. March 18, 2008
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL March 26, 2008
RESOLUTION NO 2008-13