We like easy ways to do good things for the planet and it doesn’t get much easier than this.

On March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m., join millions of people around the world in making a statement about climate change by turning off your lights for Earth Hour…

Last year’s Earth Hour, which only took place in one city — Sydney — had the same impact as taking 48,000 cars off the road for the same hour

Earth Hour was created by World Wildlife Fund in Sydney, Australia in 2007, and in one year has grown from an event in one city to a global movement. In 2008, millions of people, businesses, governments and civic organizations in nearly 200 cities around the globe will turn out for Earth Hour. More than 100 cities across North America will participate, including the US flagships–Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco and Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

We invite everyone throughout North America and around the world to turn off the lights for an hour starting at 8 p.m. (your own local time)–whether at home or at work, with friends and family or solo, in a big city or a small town.

Before you dismiss this idea, know that last year’s Earth Hour, which only took place in one city — Sydney — had the same impact as taking 48,000 cars off the road for the same hour. Tell me that doesn’t add up.

Some of the places in this country already on board to participate are:

• Atlanta — Coca Cola Headquarters and the Georgia Aquarium (largest in the world)
• Chicago — Sears Tower, John Hancock Building, Soldier Field (Chicago Bears stadium), Boeing Headquarters Building, Merchandise Mart, Drake Hotel, Chicago City Hall, C N A Building, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Building, Chicago Theater Marquees, Hard Rock Cafe marquee at Wrigley Field (home of the Chicago Cubs)
• San Francisco — San Francisco Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, San Francisco Town Hall, Hewlett-Packard Company headquarters (Palo Alto)
• Phoenix — City government buildings

If you’re doing something creative with your time in the dark (that’s not X-rated), the folks at Earth Hour are providing information on how to make your event a success.

Update: Now I know why actions like these are important. I went whole-hog and refrained from the computer, TV, and even radio, sticking to the spirit of the thing, which was to not use any power (I decided even my wind-up emergency radio with the built-in flashlight would be cheating). Time passes very slowly when all you can do is sit in the dark and reflect on why you’re sitting in the dark. I decided it must be what fasting for a cause is like. It focuses your thoughts on the reason you’re uncomfortable. Even though I finally gave up and walked the dog for the last half-hour, I still spent the whole time thinking about global warming and about the impact that using each of my appliances, and my car, has. This morning, I’m still thinking about it.

So I would say this was a good thing. You think you know this stuff, and on an intellectual level you do, but actually going through the exercise is valuable. If you missed Earth Hour, take one of your own. Tell yourself you will refrain from using electricity for one hour. Your mind will automatically focus on why and the contemplation will be illuminating. Pun intended.