Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - Rochester will join other cities around the country to formally observe this year’s Earth Hour. How? By turning off some lights at City Hall.

Rochester Mayor Kim Norton has ordered the building’s dome lights be turned off for one hour Saturday, beginning at 8:30 PM.

“As Mayor, I am pleased to take this opportunity to bring attention to Earth Hour,” said Norton. “As a City, we will join millions of others in highlighting the importance of this day and time. I think most of us can agree that we must be good stewards of our planet. To not do all we can to create a place for future generations —our children and grandchildren — is irresponsible. I encourage others in the community to join the City in turning off their lights an hour.”

According to a press release from the city:

Starting as a symbolic lights out event in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour is now the world's largest grassroots movement for the environment, inspiring millions of people to take action for our planet and nature. According to the Earth Hour organization, every year millions of people, businesses and landmarks set aside an hour to host events, switch off their lights and make noise for the Earth Hour movement.

Local resident Zoey Jantsan was recently selected to serve as a World Wildlife Fund ambassador. She shared, “I have been turning off my lights for the past seven years. This will be my eighth and I wanted to find a way to have a larger impact. I thank the Mayor and City for their support of Earth Hour. I hope this will inspire others.”

There are over 75 cities across the United States and 180 countries across the world that participate in Earth Hour.

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