Tonight millions of people around the world are turning out their lights, turning off the TVs, and unplugging for an hour. They are doing this to raise awareness for global climate change and energy usage.

Phoenix is a flagship city in Earth Hour, an international endeavor in which it is hoped that millions will band together to conserve energy by turning off their lights.

“The city’s become very interested in ‘green’ and sustainable processes and projects, because saving energy saves money on the bottom line, and we need to be good stewards of the public dollars,” said Cynthia Seelhammer, Phoenix’s deputy city manager.

Regardless of one’s opinions on global warming and climate change, conserving energy makes fiscal sense and saves taxpayer money, she said. The World Wildlife Fund, among the world’s largest environmental organizations, is promoting the event in the hopes of making people more aware of their impact on the environment. Click here for more of this article at azcentral.com.

Locally the The Teeter House and Stoudamires are holding candle light dinners. Know of any other events? Leave a comment.

Partners in Sustainability Roundtable Discussion
What can “Deep Economy” Mean for Phoenix and Other Arizona Communities?
Special Guest: Bill McKibben
March 25, 2008
Time: 1:00-3:30 PM
Location: Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ
As Arizona approaches is 100th Birthday in 2012, citizens are invited to take an opportunity to reflect on where we have been and where we are going in terms of a community vision and plan for a vibrant and sustainable future. A roundtable discussion will feature Bill McKibben, author of Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities & the Durable Future. This community forum is free and open to the public and will be moderated by John D’Anna of The Arizona Republic. This exciting discussion is presented in partnership by The Solet Initiative, Local First Arizona!, Changing Hands Bookstore, Phoenix Public Library, The Phoenix Zoo and Global Institute of Sustainability. For more information contact Cynthia Phillips or (602) 501-1851.

http://sustainable.asu.edu/giosmain/events/index.htm

The festival will feature green shopping and educational booths,
a farmer’s market, All Saints’ student projects, fascinating presentations,
children’s activities, climbing wall, live music, yummy food, and more!10am Earth Mass
All Saints’ Episcopal Church11am-2pm Green Festival
All Saints’ Episcopal Day School

All Saints’
Episcopal Church & Day School
6300 North Central Avenue, Phoenix
(North of Bethany Home Road,
South of Maryland on Central Avenue)
Church: 602.279.5539 + School: 602. 274.4866

Flyer

www.allsaints.org

Enjoy a day of powerful presentations designed to educate and promote green living practices and environmental insights for the way we work, play and live. Top experts in various dimensions of “Green Living” headline this unique conference.

 

• 6 Extraordinary Speakers
• Book Signings with Authors
• Delicious Lunch Included
• Raffle for Great Green Prizes
• Eco-Friendly Vendors
• Green Living Resources

The conference will feature renowned speakers: Toby Hemenway, author of Gaia’s Garden (over 35,000 copies sold), Brad Lancaster, author of Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands (and will have his newly released Volume 2 available), Greg Peterson from Your Guide to Green and the Urban Farm, as well as many more top-level experts within the fields of GREEN Living!

Conference is Mar 3rd 9am to 5pm at the Phoenix Zoo Stonehouse Pavilion.
$44 per person if you register by April 1st. $55 after that.
You must register to attend, no walk-ins. Space is limited.

Get the full scoop at the Green Living Conference website.

Tres Rios Nature and Earth Festival is an annual two-day outdoor event that focuses on the rich diversity of wildlife, habitat, history and culture of the Gila River drainage.This is an opportunity to celebrate the rich heritage, ecology, history and wildlife of the Gila, Salt and Agua Fria Rivers! It is a great opportunity for the whole family to enjoy a beautiful spring day in Arizona and learn something about the place we call home.
Tours and Educational Programs:
Educational programs and tours will be offered throughout the weekend. From displays of our famous venomous reptiles, canoe trips looking for wildlife and birds, fishing clinics, to hikes to Petroglyphs – there is something for everyone!

Children’s Activities
An extensive children’s area will have hands-on crafts, live animals, up-close encounters with critters, educational displays, storytelling and more! See what is “Just for Kids!”

…and for wildlife enthusiasts and Bird Watchers…
The Festival offers in-depth classes on identifying those tricky sparrows, the impressive wetland birds, tips on wildlife photography and our region’s unique Southwestern avifauna.

Fun, Food and Entertainment:
Vendors of local favorites to whet the appetite and entertainment to delight the senses!

Dates: March 15-16, 2008
Times: Saturday 9:00 - 4:00 & Sunday 9:00 - 4:00
FREE ADMISSION!
623-204-2130

Check out their webpage for more information.