Verizon Employees to Participate in Earth Hour Initiative

In a bid to create awareness about sensible energy consumption, Verizon employees all over the world will participate in the Earth Hour initiative on Saturday, March 26, the company has announced.

At 8:30 p.m. on Saturday the 26^th,  lights will switch off around the globe for Earth Hour, and people will commit to actions that go beyond the hour.

Millions of people will turn off their lights at businesses and homes for one hour; in order to support action on climate change during the Earth Hour. To help raise awareness of energy-efficiency opportunities, Verizon (News - Alert) will darken millions of square feet in more than 500 company locations, from 8:30 -9:30 p.m. local time. Verizon expects to conserve more than 45,000 kilowatt hours of energy as a result of turning off nonessential lighting.

“Our ultra-fast broadband, global IP and wireless networks are playing increasingly important roles in helping our customers cut their carbon footprints," said James Gowen, chief sustainability officer for Verizon. "The technology and tools we offer today can be used by all of us to help benefit the environment, including in the communities where we work and where we live.”

Earth Hour seeks to create a cleaner, safer and more secure future by these types of initiatives. Major lights will be dimmed on global icons as part of the Earth Hour event. Now in its fifth year, the Earth hour event comprises major landmarks of the world such as Pearl Street building in Manhattan; to the twin office complex in Irving, Texas; to an entire campus in Irvine, California; to Dortmund, Germany; and on to Reading in the United Kingdom.

In April 2010, Verizon took a step toward adopting a sustainability program. The program is geared toward the reduction of the carbon footprint of its global operations, and consists of a series of new initiatives and an expansion of existing efforts.

As a part of this initiative, the company has adopted a policy of using green products and services. The initiatives are aimed at increasing the number of alternative vehicles in the company's fleet.