万花筒 2010-03-28&03-29 地球一小时，熄灯为环保

It’s a global call to action directed at every person, government, business and community across the planet, the message: Lights off for one hour at 8:30 PM on Saturday, March 27th.

Four thousand cities and towns in 88 countries plunged² themselves into darkness this time last year. Lights out in Paris, Beijing, Rome, Sydney, Kuwait City, London, New York and Egypt,a united planet for one hour across each time zone. Hundreds of millions of people going to black for one cause: Planet Earth.

It’s a global call to unity¹ an action on mitigating³ climate change, stopping climate change and committing to carbon, carbon caps.

But what does it actually achieve? Well, it’s more about symbolism than conservation, highlighting the planet’s future.

Earth Hour is a way for the citizens of the world to send a clear message: They want action on climate change.

An initiative⁴ of the WWF has started in 2007 when more than two million Sydney residents turned off all non-essential lights. The world followed Australia's lead with this year's event reportedly on track to become the largest Earth Hour ever. So will you be turning off your light? Earth Hour urges you go to its website and click on the light bulb to show your support.

Rosemary Church, CNN, Atlanta.

1 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

2 plunged   

v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降

参考例句：

• The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。
• She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳，从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。

3 mitigating   

v.减轻，缓和( mitigate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Are there any mitigating circumstances in this case ? 本案中是否有任何情况可以减轻被告的罪行？ 来自辞典例句
• A sentencing judge is required to consider any mitigating circumstances befor imposing the death penalty. 在处死刑之前，要求量刑法官必须考虑是否有任何减轻罪行之情节。 来自口语例句

4 initiative   

n.主动性，首创精神，主动权（的行动），倡议

参考例句：

• He went to see the headmaster on his own initiative.他主动去看望校长。
• His employer had described him as lacking in initiative and drive.雇主说他缺乏进取心和干劲。