A global call to action, this Saturday's Earth Hour calls on individuals, business owners and communities world-wide to take a stand against climate change.
If last year's event was any indication, Earth Hour 2010 should maintain its status as the world's largest global climate change initiative. More than 4,000 cities and 88 countries powered down to pledge support for the planet.
The World Wildlife Federation is calling on people from all walks of life to turn off their lights once again and join together in celebration and contemplation.
One Toronto gaming company, a huge supporter of Earth Hour, is putting a spin on the 60 minutes in the dark with a new mystery, to be played in the dark during Earth Hour. For the world, Earth Hour means uniting for our planet. For one unsuspecting character, it'll be his last hour in existence: "One party is about to go horribly wrong," warns Shot in the Dark Mysteries.
The "mini" mystery, created especially for the hour and downloadable from the game company's website, is a five-suspect game. It requires a minimum of five players, but there is no maximum, explained founder and Junction resident Leigh Clements.
"It starts with an introduction and sets up the murder and who the players are," she said. "For the rest of the hour, the participants will ask questions to the suspects surrounding motive, means and opportunity. Based on the information they gather, they decide who out of the five suspects is the murderer."
It's not unlike the board game Clue or classic murder-mystery TV shows like Murder She Wrote, but this game is live.
"It's a very memorable way to spend an hour," said Clements, who wrote the game.
Clements said she has always aspired to create a game that takes place in the dark.
"It just seemed a natural connection," she said. "We have a brand of mysteries called mini-mysteries designed for one-hour."
The one-time reporter, who freelanced on the side, said she found her stride when she began working for Shot in the Dark Mysteries.
"The minute I started, I fell in love," said the Calgary native, who came to Toronto with her husband, first settling in Roncesvalles Village before moving to the Junction two years ago.
Clements tapped into her knowledge of forensics to write the game. It was an interest of hers long before the popular series CSI hit TV screens. The game's victim is poisoned.
"People who play it will be surprised to learn how intricate it is," said Clements.
For everyone who purchases the game, Shot in the Dark Mysteries will plant a tree in his or her name to offset the printing and paper required to download the game instructions from the internet.
To download the game and for further details, visit www.shotinthedarkmysteries.com