Keep your eyes open and your flashlights near tomorrow night between 8 and 9pm, because Tel Aviv will be taking part in Earth Hour – an international initiative that aims to reduce power consumption by turning off lights and, as a result, decrease greenhouse gas emissions. 

This will be the first time that Tel Aviv – or any Israeli city – participates in the global movement.  At least 24 cities worldwide will be participating in the event, including Bangkok, Chicago, Dublin, and Sydney (which inaugurated the Earth Hour concept in 2007).   

Perhaps even more unique than the fact that Tel Aviv residents, business owners, and public institutions will be turning off their lights for an hour is the special “unplugged” concert to be held in Rabin Square. 

And unplugged really does mean unplugged.

Israeli rock group Knesiat Hasechel will be performing in Rabin Square, but it will use only renewable and sustainable energy sources to power the concert.  This will include bio-diesel and a team of volunteers who have volunteered to cycle continuously in a special designated area, thus creating the energy to power the event.  There are at least 42 volunteers powering the event, each of which will cycle non-stop for half an hour so that we can enjoy the concert guilt-free.

See also:: Lights Out for Tel Aviv