Earth Hour, a global event created to symbolise that each one of us, working together, can make a difference on climate change, will take place on Saturday March 27th at 8.30 PM.The world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa and the resting place of the UAE’s founding father, the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque will join other iconic UAE landmarks including, the Emirates Palace, Raffles Hotel, ADIA Building, Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Aldar Head Quarters, Sharjah Mega Mall, Sharjah Science Museum, Fairmont, Tecom, Media One Hotel, Dubai World Trade centre, the Yas Hotel and Yas Marina Circuit, Sas Radisson Hotel Blue and more for Earth Hour and ‘flick the switch’ on their signature landmarks, marking their dedication to sustainable development and joining their citizens in adopting low-carbon practices switching off the lights in a decisive display of climate action.
“The actions shown by business and community leaders are crucial to leading a low-carbon resolution to climate change, says EWS-WWF Managing Director, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak.”
“The UAE has one of the highest ecological footprints per capita, so our role in addressing what is unequivocally the greatest threat to the planet today is absolutely vital,” Al Mubarak said.”
As Earth Hour has grown from a one-city initiative in 2007 to a global phenomenon in 2009, renowned icons, including the Great Pyramids, Eiffel Tower, the Coliseum, Christ the Redeemer statue, Buckingham Palace and many more have joined the global community in showing leadership on a resolution to climate change.
In the UAE, the participation from the government and private sector has exceeded last years with over 150 organisations signed up, and EWS-WWF is expecting thousands of residents to participate either at home, at one of the Earth hour events or simply by turning off all electricity before going out to the horse race, the music festival or to attend a candle light dinner at a restaurant.
Ida Tillisch of EWS-WWF said, “It is very encouraging to see the number of Earth Hour participants increase every day. People and organisations concerned about climate change are signing up and many are going out of their way to help promote the campaign further. We are hopeful of Earth Hour participation in all seven emirates, as UAE residents from every walk of life, in communities large and small, symbolically dim their lights in solidarity for climate action with hundreds of millions of people around the world.”
In Abu Dhabi and Dubai Earth Hour events and gathering are being planned, for example in Dubai, DEWA will be leading a lantern march on Beach Road, which will be partly closed for traffic during Earth Hour.
Amal Koshak, Senior Manager, Demand and Tariff Management at DEWA said “Earth Hour is an inspiring message of hope and action and we are encouraging all residents and organisations to participate. Participation does not necessarily mean you have to sit at home without lights and TV, we encourage people join Earth Hour on Beach Road for our lantern march, but do turn all electricity off at home before you leave. In 2009, Earth Hour in Dubai brought a reduction in power consumption of 146,000kW/h (kilo-watt-hour), this year we aim for more and encourage people to turn off all unnecessary electric equipment including their air conditioners for Earth Hour.”
H.E Hamad Buamim, director general, Dubai Chamber said, “We would like to take this opportunity to encourage organisations and their staff to reduce their consumption of electricity throughout the year. By doing so, we can all play a role in helping our nation address energy challenges and climate change. Dubai Chamber supports Earth Hour and other initiatives aiming at preserving our environment, promoting sustainability and making our communities a better place to work and live in.”
Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director – UAE, Emaar Properties said, “Emaar is proud to support Earth Hour and is committed to partnering in initiatives that promote environmental awareness.
As a pioneer of integrated lifestyle communities, Emaar has been at the forefront in creating sustainable communities through a focus on the efficient use of resources. We believe that meaningful change can be brought about through community action, and we are taking the lead by participating in Earth Hour.”
The Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar will be participating in Earth Hour and is helping to promote the initiative. Dr. Naal Al Hosany, Director, Sustainability, Masdar said, “Earth Hour is about responsibility, about the duty that all of us – as individuals, as families, as companies and organizations and as nations – have to protect our environment and to take action against climate change. Switching off the lights for one hour reinforces that message and shows how simple actions can go a long way toward making a difference; its very encouraging that more and more individuals and entities from the UAE participate in Earth Hour each year.”
“Earth Hour is not just about one night, it is about highlighting the possibilities for change and encouraging long term actions that will reduce the carbon footprints of individuals, groups, companies, governments, and nations, on both the date of Earth Hour and on a continuing permanent basis” explains Al Mubarak.
With the confirmed participation of citizens from 118 countries and regions, Earth Hour is anticipated to be the greatest civil action the world has ever witnessed, a global team hundreds of millions strong that will show the world what can be done.
