Earth Hour shiny success for some

People threw candlelit parties and convened at places like the Adler Planetarium to watch Earth Hour's impact on the Saturday night skyline.

But besides darkened skyscrapers and landmarks, what did Earth Hour's 60 minutes of dimness achieve?

The event aimed to encourage reduced energy use and highlight climate change. Corporations and cities all over the world -- and the suburbs -- signed on.

ComEd reported power usage for the hour dropped 7 percent among northern Illinois customers compared to the same hour the prior week. That's equal to removing 1 million cars off the road for an hour or 72,000 gallons of consumed gas.

Chicago was among the leading American cities to turn off nonessential lights from 8 to 9 p.m. Landmarks in more than 400 countries, including Rome's Coliseum and Toronto's CN Tower, dimmed lights as a symbolic gesture.

World Wildlife Fund spokesman Dan Forman said that internationally the event went smoothly and safely. Chicago police reported nothing out of ordinary during the hour in terms of criminal activity.

More than 300,000 people or groups registered on earthhour.org, but that doesn't fully measure how many took part, he said.

That's the kind of participation that convinces politicians to take notice and make energy-friendly policy changes, Forman said.

"You're not going to get elected into office if you don't pay attention to this. We're not going buy your products if you don't pay attention to this," he said.

State Rep. Elaine Nekritz is vice chairwoman of the House Environmental and Energy Committee.

"Do I think it changes anybody's mind? Probably not," the Northbrook Democrat said. "But it does heighten awareness and demonstrates if we really worked at it, we could reduce consumption."

She acknowledged many politicians haven't been "on the cutting edge" of environmental issues. She also said no one could depend on a single event and that incremental sacrifices need to be made.

Republican state Rep. Jim Durkin of Countryside said the public had "nothing to lose" by taking part and the event should be monthly.

"If anybody doesn't understand at some point fossil fuels will run out and we're going to be dependent on the Middle East under the current circumstances, we can't continue," he said.

Fidel Marquez, a ComEd vice president, encouraged Compact Fluorescent Light bulb use, reducing thermostats and eliminating "phantom load." That's when a cell phone charger, for instance, is left plugged in, even though the device is no longer connected. Forman also suggested the use of energy-efficient appliances.

In Arlington Heights, Bonnie Cimo hosted a candlelit Earth Hour party for 50 guests with music from the Academy of Irish Music in Chicago.

She'd posted fliers at her church, St. James in Arlington Heights. She didn't hear many doubters.

"I didn't hear anything like that," Cimo said. "Maybe it's because all my friends are hippies like I am."