Aaron Jasso, 18 of Turlock, wants Turlock to participate in a global sustainability movement called Earth Hour.
Jasso asked the Turlock City Council during the citizen participation period at the February 24, 2009 Council Meeting to help him get the City of Turlock to join the Earth Hour 2009 event.
On March 28, 2009 lights all over the world will be turned off from 8:30pm – 9:00pm in a global environmental effort. Aaron Jasso hopes to lead Turlockers in the effort.
Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.
In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.
Jasso wants Turlock to get involved and asked the “big dogs,” as he referred to Council, to help get Turlock committed. Jasso asked for a proclamation and any other help the City of Turlock organization could provide.
A proclamation supporting Earth Hour 2009 in Turlock will be made and presented to Aaron Jasso at the March 10th Turlock City Council Meeting.
Jasso also spoke to the TID Board of Directors on Tuesday admitting that this effort is last minute but any help towards this year’s effort would be appreciated.
TID is planning on announcing Earth Hour 2009 in Turlock on the TID website and is looking into what they can do to support the environmental movement closely related to their industry.
Any large organizations or related businesses such as the school district, city, TID, JKB Energy, etc are desired partners in making this happen.
Aaron has hopes to get the lights turned off at the Monte Vista Crossings’ highway signs, Turlock Auto Plaza sign, Turlock Downtown’s Main Street, CSU Stanislaus, and as many residencies as he can get the word out to.
TurlockCityNews.com will be video taping from the highway, downtown, and other destination spots around Turlock to see if our community joins in the global effort.
Aaron knows the results of a last minute first year attempt is expected to be not as successful as other movements, but looks forward towards the future and just getting it started this year.
TurlockCityNews.com is sending out emails and making phone calls to all these organizations asking that they contact Aaron Jasso , Turlock’s unofficial Earth Hour coordinator.
If you’re interested in participating or helping, call Aaron at (209) 408-4775 or email aaronjasso90@yahoo.com. You may also contact TurlockCityNews.com at (209) 678-7759 or submissions@turlockcitynews.com.
More information on Earth Hour 2009 can be found at the official website, http://www.earthhour.org.