Las Vegas Casino Lights Go Out for Earth Hour

(MoneyWatch) 

For one hour last night, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., the world was supposed to go dark to show awareness for global climate change. Perhaps in the end, they took Las Vegas' cue and went as dark as they could.

Las Vegas was made a World Wildlife Foundation flagship city for Earth Hour 2009, and many businesses agreed to the proposal including some cutting lights to signature casinos on the Strip, including Paris' balloon, the Luxor's spotlight beam of light, and the Flamingo's pink and gold namesake, all went dark. Harrah's Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands Co. and MGM Mirage were some of the casino operators who agreed to darken nonessential lights.

But even without nonessential lighting, Las Vegas loomed brighter than most of the desert. At least one Las Vegas resident, Therese Conner, told the Las Vegas Sun, "I thought it would be a lot darker."

Although critics doubted much happened during Earth Hour, environmentalists deemed it a success.

The real winners? The casino companies who were thoughtful and savvy enough to make commercials (like Harrah's, see below) showing they care about the environment. In this tough economy, it's more important than ever to take the good PR and credit when you can.


Photos courtesy of Earth Hour 2009