Earth Hour was created as a simple way to observe and draw awareness to the effects of climate change and the issue of conserving environmental resources.

Earth Hour is a global event that started three years ago. Last year, people from 87 countries participated. This year, people in 121 countries have confirmed that they will be observing the hour.

Participants are asked to turn their lights off from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The event will be held on the Quad from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will include live music by The Sparrow and the Ghost as well as glow-in-the-dark painting.

“I thought it would be more fun to have an event rather than just an observation,” said Justinn Trott, a senior in New College and the director of the department of environmental concerns.

Trott said she wanted to raise environmental awareness, especially for students.

“I think it’s important for students as far as the energy living. People who live on campus are a bit spoiled because they don’t see the bill,” Trott said.

This year, the University will be turning off the lights on the east side of campus as well as Denny Chimes in observation of Earth Hour.

Other global landmarks that will also be shutting down their lights and electronics include the Brooklyn Bridge, the Las Vegas Strip and Sydney’s Opera House.

“Earth Hour sends a clear message that Americans care about this issue and want to turn the lights out on dirty air, dangerous dependency on foreign oil and costly climate change impacts, and make the switch to cleaner air, a strong economic future and a more secure nation,” according to myearthhour.org.

Trott said she thinks the idea of Earth Hour caught on so easily on such a large scale was because climate change and environmental conservation is a global issue.

“I know a lot of different people have a lot of different opinions concerning the environment. I think we can all learn from each other. It’s important that we listen to each other,” Trott said.

She said it is time that Alabama adopts some new traditions.

According to myearthhour.org Alabama is currently not one of the 30 states officially supporting Earth Hour.

“I think that Alabama in particular people make environmental conservation into a political issue. To me it’s not,” Trott said. “We all want our children and grandchildren to have the same kind of beauty that we appreciate.”

Trott said she is trying to step away from the combination of political ideals and individual’s opinions about the environment. This is an issue that is facing everyone, regardless of political affiliation, she said.

“It’s not about politics its about what’s right. Its about preservation and conservation of what’s around us,” she said.