As part of an international effort to promote energy conservation and sustainability, the city of Honolulu is asking residents and businesses to turn off non-essential lighting and other electronics for one hour or longer Saturday night.

Earth Hour, co-sponsored by The Advertiser, is scheduled for Saturday from 8 to 9 p.m. and will coincide with similar events in 100 cities worldwide, including Copenhagen, Toronto, Chicago, Melbourne, Brisbane and Tel Aviv.

So far, 5,500 residential units at Schofield Barracks and 2,000 at Hickam Air Force Base have pledged to turn off their lights Saturday night. Both bases will be sponsoring family movie nights played with projectors powered by photovoltaic cells.

"Spend some quality time with your family as opposed to in front of the television or the computer," said Mayor Mufi Hannemann. "Earth Hour is more than just a gesture. It's an opportunity for people to show that they have the power to work together to make a difference."

The World Wildlife Fund started Earth Hour last year in Sydney. On March 31, 2007, 2.2 million people and 2,100 Sydney businesses turned off their lights for one hour at the request of organizers, according to the Earth Hour Web site.

Organizers claim that if the greenhouse gas reduction achieved during the first Earth Hour was sustained for a year, it would be equivalent to taking 48,616 cars off the road for a year.

"We think it's an honor to be involved in something that will help save energy and make this a greener world for all of us," said Lee P. Webber, president and publisher of The Advertiser.

Hannemann said Honolulu police, fire and emergency medical technicians have been contacted and made aware that the campaign will not affect their work.

"We're thrilled that the people of Honolulu will be turning off the lights March 29," said Carter S. Roberts, president and CEO of the World Wildlife Fund, in a letter to Hannemann. "This global event will raise awareness about climate change and symbolize that, working together, the people of the world can make a difference for their planet."