Israel holds Earth Hour a little later than the rest of the world, but just in time for Earth Day.
Stubborn as always, Israel insists on doing things a little differently. The official international date for Earth Day, the worldwide energy saving campaign, was on March 27th and many other Middle Eastern countries – such as Egypt and Dubai – observed it already. But Israel thought it would be better to observe Earth Hour a little later, on Earth Day, with a 14-city energy saving salute.
Today Israel will be observing Earth Hour for the third year in a row, with each city celebrating and saving energy in its own special way. Check out what the following cities are doing, in synchronized order:
Tel Aviv: Tel Aviv already has its own Earth Hour tradition, in the form of a concert in Rabin Square that is powered by a team of cyclists and renewable energy (which sometimes comes in the form of upcycled falafel oil). Lights out at 8pm. Check out the details on the left.
Nes Ziona: Like the other cities observing Earth Hour, it’ll be lights out for Nes Ziona at 8pm.
Jerusalem: A few events will be going on in Jerusalem, including a family-oriented event on Sderot Mamila, a concert on the Old City walls after lights out at 8:10pm, and a street party on Shushan Street.
Check out the poster below for more information.
Dimona: Like the other cities observing Earth Hour, it’ll be lights out for Dimona at 8:10pm.
Yavne: Yavne is turning Earth Hour into a day-long event, starting at 8am with a school-wide environmental education hour and ending with a lights-out hour starting at 8:10pm.
Haifa: Like the other cities observing Earth Hour, it’ll be lights out for Haifa at 8:10pm.
Kfar Saba: Kfar Saba will turn it’s lights off at 8:20pm, but before that a light-and-dark circus cabaret will be starting at 8pm.
Modi’in Makabim-Reut: Like the other cities observing Earth Hour, it’ll be lights out for Modi’in Makabim-Reut at 8:20pm.
Beer Sheva: Like the other cities observing Earth Hour, it’ll be lights out for Beer Sheva at 8:30pm.
Eilat: Like the other cities observing Earth Hour, it’ll be lights out for Eilat at 8:30pm.
Rishon Lezion: Like the other cities observing Earth Hour, it’ll be lights out for Rishon Lezion at 8:30pm.
Ashkelon: Like the other cities observing Earth Hour, it’ll be lights out for Ashkelon at 8:40pm.
Petach Tikva: Like the other cities observing Earth Hour, it’ll be lights out for Petach Tikva at 8:40pm.
Raanana: Like the other cities observing Earth Hour, it’ll be lights out for Raanana at 8:40pm.
For more information about Israel Earth Day 2010 events click here.
Read more about Earth Hour in Israel::
Earth Hour Competes With Football in Israel, Jordanians March With Candles
Tell Me It’s Hot, Tell Me It’s Cold: Tel Aviv Earth Hour Concert 2008
VIDEO: Shimon Peres Unplugs Jerusalem for Earth Day 2009
Free Concert Powered by Falafel Oil Brings Earth Hour and Earth Day to the Tel Aviv Masses
For more news on Israel, see the Jerusalem Post.
Author: Karen Chernick
Much to the disappointment of her Moroccan grandmother, Karen became a vegetarian at the age of seven because of a heartfelt respect for other forms of life. She also began her journey to understand her surroundings and her impact on the environment. She even starting an elementary school Ecology Club and an environmental newsletter in the 3rd grade. (The proceeds of the newsletter went to non-profit environmental organizations, of course.) She now studies in New York. Karen can be reached at karen (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
