UnPower Hour

UnPower Hour is an event in which participants switch off lights, equipment, and appliances for one hour to reduce energy consumption. 

This event was part of Earth Hour 2025, which took place on Saturday, March 22, a World Wildlife Fund initiative that aims to raise awareness of climate change while empowering individuals to create a tangible impact on the planet.  
On March 20, 125 people from the WCM community participated in the event.  

Based on the reported actions completed during that hour and energy data, we estimated that we saved 56.5 kW, equivalent to 66.8 miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle or 3,069 smartphones charged. Any small action can help reduce our carbon footprint! 

Congratulations to the three raffle winners (selected by a random number generator) who were gifted a sustainable gift bag: Christina Del Guzzo, MD (Dermatology Department), Qian Hua Ge (External Affairs), and Neetu Shaji (Cardiothoracic Surgery Department). 

To help WCM conserve energy throughout the year, there are several actions you can take: 

• Switch off lights when you leave. Post switch-off stickers to remind colleagues too. 
• Adjust your computer settings:

1. Program your monitor to shut off after 5 minutes of inactivity; 
2. Enable computer sleep mode after 20 minutes of inactivity; 
3. Decrease monitor brightness. 

• Switch off your desktop or laptop at the end of the working day, or at least during the weekend, and when you leave for time off. 
• When possible, switch off other equipment if not in use. You can use outlet timers to set equipment to turn on in the morning before you get to work and to turn off automatically at night. 
• Use shared printers/scanners. 
• Use LED lights. 
• Choose Energy Star appliances and electronics. 
• Reduce energy from water heating by decreasing water temperature.