Welcome to the Earth Hour global community!

We are a little more than a week away from Earth Hour and I’ve been following the mounting totals carefully. We’re getting close to 500,000 sq. ft. of participation in Earth Hour but still need a final push to hit the target.

I understand about waiting to do things. I have been waiting to install solar on my house for several years. It seems to always get pushed back or forgotten, which leaves me here – several years past the time I should have done this. So I was actually pleased to make this challenge as the final nudge to make me do this. I will be very pleased to always know and to be able to remark that reaching this milestone achievement was the reason I finally installed a solar system. Somehow the fact that so many acted will make the investment even more meaningful!

This personal choice is not unlike the commitment CBRE makes in helping our real estate clients’ become more sustainable, not only in the performance of their owned or occupied space but in the daily habits of their organization. We will assist them in improving their buildings’ operating performance if they are willing to accept the challenge required to initiate positive change. In fact, most CBRE clients embrace the idea of becoming more green, and see the value in sustainability as we help their employees become more engaged in the process.

This is one reason we appreciate an event like Earth Hour each year: it empowers individuals to make a personal difference while taking part in a larger cause, if only symbolically. Our observation is that Earth Hour themes like “I will if you will” help the behaviors adopted for that special event last well beyond the hour itself. Hopefully we’ll see a good example of this with the challenge I’ve made to CBRE, and the benefits of solar energy I’ll enjoy for years to come.

David L. Pogue, LEED AP

Global Director of Sustainability, CBRE Group, Inc.