Google Goes Black For Earth Hour - Remember Blackle?

To mark Earth Hour, Google has changed its background to be all black.  This is fascinating because it reminds us of Blackle.  Last July, a site called ‘Blackle’ launched a black-background search engine noting that if Google went black, the site could save the world 750 Megawatt-hours per year.  Well now Google is black - but only for a day.

The press release notes, “Google users in Canada will notice today that we “turned the lights out” on the Google.ca homepage as a gesture to raise awareness of a worldwide energy conservation effort called Earth Hour. As to why we don’t do this permanently - it saves no energy; modern displays use the same amount of power regardless of what they display. However, you can do something to reduce the energy consumption of your home PC by joining the Climate Savers Computing Initiative.”

Here’s our post about Blackle from last year:

Blackle - Black Version of Google Aims to Save the Planet

Blackle is a custom Google search engine that claims to save energy simply “because the screen is predominantly black.” The site’s only differing function from Google is the fact that its background is black and the results are white - making it a hard-to-read, but allegedly power-saving, adaptatio… [More]

Here are some more Trend Hunter posts about Earth Hour:

Canada’s Green Commitment - Earth Hour 2008 (VIDEO)

Hundreds of countries around the world will be participating in Earth Hour this Saturday, but Canada is one of the most keen with 1 in 606 signed on to participate (the US only has 1 in 5,347 committed.) “Last week, Canada was in first place, but now trails the U.S. about 2,000 with close to 55,000… [More]

Earth Hour 2008 – Times Square Shuts off Billboards (VIDEO)

On Saturday, March 29th, from 8:00 to 9:00 pm, millions of people world-wide will be celebrating Earth Hour.  Participants will shut off lights and TVs, and go dark for the event, which is in support of improving our natural environment.  In the U.S., dozens of major cities from the Golden Gate Br… [More]

Participating in Earth Hour - Fairmont Royal York Hotel (GALLERY)

Just a reminder that Earth Hour is coming up this Saturday. If you’re not sure what that is, read our previous article, embedded below.  For those who aren’t aware, it could come as a shock if the lights or TV in their hotel rooms suddenly shut off, or if the restaurant they’re visiting is lit only… [More]

Earth Hour 2008 - Dark Sky Week In Harmony, Florida (GALLERY)

In my neck of the woods, we will be attending Earth Hour in Harmony, Florida. It’s such a blast!  With millions turning their lights off in Osceola county at 8:00 p.m., in Harmony, folks are encouraged to attend a community movie or candlelit dinner at Greensides’ restaurant. Earth Hour also kicks … [More]

Earth Hour: Hawaii - Pearl Harbor Residences Will Go Dark

Over 5,500 residential units at Schofield Barracks and 2,000 at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii will go dark Saturday night. Both bases will sponsor family movie nights with projectors powered by photovoltaic cells. The Mayor said Earth Hour was a time for people to realize they can work t… [More]

World Shuts Light Off for the Environment - Earth Hour (VIDEO)

Here’s your chance to take action and show the leaders of the world that you care and are deeply concerned about the wellbeing of our planet. All it takes is one hour of your time and doesn’t require you to do anything but flick off your lights.  On March 29, 2008 @ 8 p.m. the World Wildlife Fo… [More]