Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do we need to act?

A: Our city’s growing appetite for energy must be controlled to protect our planet from the effects of the climate crisis. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, humans are greatly contributing to the release of greenhouse gases that are changing the earth’s atmosphere. The burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2). The rising concentration of greenhouses gases, such as CO2 – caused by driving cars, relying on coal-powered energy sources, and other daily consumption habits – contributes to warming the planet. To learn more about how you can lower your carbon footprint and help stop global warming, read our Energy-Saving Tips and visit our recommended websites.

Q: You may ask: what good does one hour and one light bulb do? What do we hope to accomplish?

A: We estimate that turning lights out in San Francisco for even one hour could save as much as 15 percent of the energy consumed on an average Saturday night. The ongoing benefits of installing CFLs in your house are even greater.

We plan to publish the energy-saving results on this website. This savings will reduce carbon emissions into our air, preserve the natural resources used to produce this energy, set a positive precedent for the rest of the nation (as San Francisco so often does!), and result in ongoing reduced costs for the city, taxpayers, and businesses.

We hope to make Lights Out San Francisco (LOSF) a recurring event – and part of a wider effort to promote energy-saving consciousness for our wonderful city.

Q: How much CO2 will be saved during the event?

A: We will be measuring how much energy is saved during Lights Out – but the main aim of the campaign is to encourage energy efficiency beyond the Lights Out event. Individuals and businesses making small changes everyday can achieve our goal of a 5% reduction in San Francisco’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2007-8.

Q: Q: Why October 20th?

A: Late October is typically warmer and less foggy than other times of the year in San Francisco. Also, schools are back in session and we’re hoping to work with schools to involve children so they can learn more about the importance of energy conservation.

Q: How can I participate?

A: All you have to do is turn off non-essential lighting in your home or business from 8-9pm on Saturday, October 20th. Try swapping scary stories with your family in the dark, or eating a candlelit dinner with a loved one. Then see our Energy-Saving Tips to continue saving energy every day.

Q: Can I participate even if I don’t live in San Francisco?

A: Of course! Show your solidarity by turning out your lights in your hometown on October 20th from 8-9pm PST.

Q: How else can I get involved?

A: We’re glad you asked! You can get involved a number of ways.

1. Help us pass out information and CFL bulbs, and promote our October 20th event.
2. Pledge your company’s support to turn your business lights out
3. Throw a celebration in your neighborhood. Email us and let us know if you are planning a neighborhood gathering.
4. Most importantly, spread the word. Email your friends, or join the LOSF groups on MySpace and Facebook. The more people who participate in Lights Out San Francisco, the greater the impact we will have in stopping climate change.

Q: Can I contribute money to this cause? If so, how?

A: We don’t have a huge budget, but we still do need to raise money to distribute free CFLs and spread the word about turning lights out. Donations from individuals and local, green-minded institutions are welcome. Email us at donate@lightsoutsf.org.

Q: Where can I get a free carbon fluorescent light (CFL) bulb? How many will you give away?

A: We plan to give away as many free CFLs as we can. So far, PG&E and Yahoo! have generously donated 210,000 CFLs. Our field team will distribute these in city neighborhoods in the weeks leading up to the event. In October, you will also be able to pick up a free CFL* at participating Safeway stores in San Francisco. Check back on our website for more details closer to the date. *Limit one per household, while supplies last.

Q: I’ve read that CFLs are dangerous if broken and contain heavy metals that damage the environment. Is this true?

A: According Helen Suh MacIntosh, a professor in environmental health at Harvard University, CFLs are safe. But don’t take our word for it. Here’s a summary on the issue so you can make your own determination.

The Integrated Waste Management Board also has information about disposing of CFLs.

Q: Will all San Francisco lighting, even city streetlights and hospitals, go dark? What about emergency power?

A: Lights Out San Francisco is not asking to turn-off streetlights or any power necessary to keeping the city and its residents safe. We encourage people to switch off only non-essential lighting — such as lights in houses, porches, office buildings, and the like. By turning off all non-essential lighting, we save energy and hopefully show how easy it is to fight climate change if we work together.

Q: If everyone turns their lights back on at the same time, will there be a power surge?

A: No. We’ve checked with PG&E and turning all the lights back on won’t cause any issues.

Q: Aren’t you using a lot of electricity and resources to promote this event?

A: We at LOSF are doing all we can to make our operations carbon neutral. Our web host, Affordable Internet Services Online, Inc., is a 100% solar energy host. We’re using recycled materials for printing and promotion, and we are planning to make our celebrations as green as possible. We’re a small operation, and our carbon footprint is small as well.

Q: Who is behind Lights Out San Francisco?

A: Lights Out San Francisco is a community-based, grassroots organization based in San Francisco. Local resident Nathan Tyler founded LOSF after he participated in Sydney, Australia’s Earth Hour – a one-hour, lights-out energy saving event held in March 2007. The LOSF steering committee consists of San Francisco and Marin residents who are passionate about the environment and energy conservation.

Q: Are you a non-profit? How are you financed? And will you make money from this event?

A: As a Tides Center project, LOSF is a non-profit organization. We will not make money from this event. Our funding comes from individual donors and corporate sponsorships. We are a small, grassroots organization, aiming to keep our budget and operations as minimal as possible.

Q: Is LOSF affiliated with any political organizations or politically biased?

A: No, LOSF is an independent organization not affiliated with any political party, group or individual.

Have a question not addressed here? Email info@lightsoutsf.org.