Atlanta plans to join more than 20 other cities around the world on Saturday, March 29, that will turn off the lights to signify support for combating climate change.

The World Wildlife Fund is organizing the event, called Earth Hour 2008.

In a statement released Friday, Mayor Shirley Franklin said "I call on citizens and business leaders across Atlanta to support Earth Hour. Once again, our great city will be a beacon of action and change for the rest of the world to see."

WWF is working with public and private partners including the Georgia Conservancy, an environmental advocacy organization, to coordinate extinguishing non-essential lights from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. at dozens of major landmark buildings in Downtown, Midtown, Atlantic Station and Buckhead, as will as homes and businesses in neighborhoods across the city. Lights affecting public safety, including street lights and lights in hospitals and public spaces, will remain on.

Other partners include city officials, local police and fire departments. Georgia Power plans to measure the drop in electricity use during the event.

Most of Georgia's electricity is produced by from coal-fired power plants, a major contributor to greenhouse gases which scientists say are causing global warming.

Other cities taking part in the event include Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco, as well as Bangkok, Copenhagen, Manila, Tel Aviv, Sydney and Toronto. The goal is to raise awareness about climate change and demonstrate how individual actions can make a difference.

Carter Roberts, president and CEO of WWF-US, said in a statement "By taking part in Earth Hour 2008, Atlanta is sending a powerful message to the world that its citizens stand united with people across the globe in their concern about climate change and their commitment to finding solutions. . . Turning off the lights for just one hour shows we can adjust the way we lead our lives. It is a simple action that can inspire people around the world to make a serious long-term commitment to reducing energy consumption."

Atlanta will represent the Eastern Time Zone of the US.

Earth Hour started last year in Sydney, Australia. Power consumption dropped more than 10 percent in an hour.

WWF is a multinational conservation organization, working in 100 countries and with nearly 5 million members worldwide.