Verizon employees across the globe will join millions of people in more than 128 countries and territories to support Earth Hour on Saturday (March 31). From 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time, millions of square feet in more than 600 company locations will go dark, helping to raise awareness of energy-efficiency opportunities.

During the event last year, Verizon in just one hour saved 45,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity, enough energy to power approximately 10 homes for a year. Throughout all of 2011, Verizon reduced its energy usage by 2.34 percent – the equivalent of powering 20,600 homes for a year.

Sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour is an event in which millions of people participate by turning off their lights at businesses and homes for one hour to support action on climate change and on creating a cleaner, safer and more secure future.

During the global event, now in its sixth year, the lights will be dimmed on global icons including the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia, Buckingham Palace in London, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Taiwan’s 101 Financial Center in Taipei and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

In addition to darkening numerous floors in Verizon office buildings and technical sites in 40 different countries, Verizon also will dim lights and signs outside its major office sites including the Pearl Street building in Manhattan; a twin office complex in Irving, Texas; an entire campus in Basking Ridge, N.J.; and company sites in Dortmund, Germany; and Reading in the United Kingdom.

“Verizon is proud to once again demonstrate our commitment to the environment this year during Earth Hour,” said James Gowen, chief sustainability officer for Verizon. ”In 40 countries around the world our buildings will darken, and thousands of our employees will also participate from their homes. Together with our customers and suppliers, we can deepen the connection between our business interests and those of society.”

Verizon’s Sustainable Business Practices

Earlier this month, Verizon announced a partnership with VIA Motors to develop and demonstrate plug-in electric vehicles using VIA’s proprietary technology and to evaluate the technology for possible wide-scale use in Verizon’s fleet. The company also operates an extensive fleet of alternative-energy vehicles including hybrid vans and trucks, and natural gas and electric vehicles.

Last year, Verizon announced a collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to develop innovative ways to reduce energy use in the communications industry. Verizon and NREL are now working together to identify ways to make Verizon’s networks, data centers and office buildings more energy efficient.

Verizon has been named to several lists for sustainability, corporate ethical standards and social responsibility, including the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, Newsweek Global Green 100, Maplecroft Climate Innovation Inde, FTSE4Good Index, Ethibel Sustainability Index and Calvert Large Cap Value Fund.

Image Courtesy of   https://www.facebook.com/earthhour

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Often considered to be the crown jewel of Australia, Sydney is a world class destination with magnificent sights to be seen. Situated along the internationally famous Sydney Harbour, the pristine location of the city gives locals and visitors ample opportunity to experience what coastal living is all about, while still having a buzzing city lifestyle.

The combination of a cosmopolitan atmosphere along with the Aussie laid back attitude is exactly what Sydney is about. Whether checking out the legendary Sydney Opera House, catching some sun on Bondi Beach, or feeding some native kangaroos at the zoo, Sydney is a fantastic destination in the land down under.

Sydney’s most iconic landmark is the Sydney Opera House. Located directly on the Sydney Harbour, the opera house is a breathtaking architectural wonder that draws millions of visitors each year. Danish architect Jorn Utzon created the Opera House, which opened in 1973. By 2007, the Sydney Opera House had been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visiting the Sydney Opera House is a must while traveling to Sydney. Bask in its grandeur on its steps or admire its structure while riding a ferry. Visitors can also choose to take a guided tour throughout the inside of the Opera House, getting access to backstage areas while learning the history of the building.

For the ultimate viewing of the Sydney Opera House, people can attend one of its 40 shows a week, enjoying a live performance in a world famous masterpiece.

As a cosmopolitan city, Sydney is remarkably an easy one to get around by foot. Circular Quay, a main hub for ferries and other mass transportation, is located just steps away from the Sydney Opera House. Circular Quay gives way to a panoramic view of Sydney Harbour, with ferry boats and sailboats dotting the water and the extraordinary Sydney Harbour Bridge in the near distance.

A walk across the bridge gives way to stunning views of the harbor and skyline down below. Just a short walk from Circular Quay onto George Street is the Queen Victoria Building, a large shopping area full of retail stores and dining options. With historical significance, the Queen Victoria Building, known by locals as the QVB, was created in 1898 and has had many purposes throughout its existence.

It once housed a city library as well as the Sydney City Council, but now stands today as a prominent shopping center in the heart of the city. Just moments away from the QVB is Darling Harbour, a family friendly destination full of entertainment. Darling Harbour is the site for many of Sydney’s festivals and outdoor special events.

Attractions include an array of restaurants and shops, as well as movie theaters, museums, the Sydney Aquarium, and the Sydney Wildlife World. Nightlife in Darling Harbour is popular, with dozens of bars available there is something for everyone’s taste.

Darling Harbour hosts annual events, including celebrations for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Australia Day. Occurring in January, Australia Day is specifically for Australians to celebrate their culture and country with full day outdoor festivities.

A visit to Sydney wouldn’t be complete without a trip to one of its world famous local beaches. One of the most famous beaches in the region is Bondi Beach, just four miles from central Sydney. Bondi Beach is a hub for sun lovers and water sports enthusiasts. The soft sand is a great place to catch some golden rays of sun and play beach volleyball.

This beach is a favorable location for surfers who want to ride waves as well. Founded in 1907, the Bondi Surf Bather’s Life Saving Club is legendary to be the first club in the world designated to perform lifesaving duties on the beach. Easily accessible from the heart of Sydney, Bondi Beach is a place not to be missed.

The laid back attitude of Sydney and its residents has made the thriving city an exciting yet relaxing international destination. Australia’s largest city is full of exciting shopping, dining, and cultural attractions, as well as natural beauty from the harbor and nearby beaches.

Experiencing the diverse activities and culture of Sydney is the perfect way to spend some time in the land down under.

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