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29 March 2024

It’s lights out on March 23 as the UAE goes dark for Earth Hour

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By Bindu Suresh Rai

On Saturday at sharp 8.30pm, the UAE will slip into a cloak of darkness for one hour, as major landmarks dim their lights in support of Earth Hour 2013.

A special candlelight march will also commence at Burj Plaza in Downtown Dubai, as residents unite in a bid to conserve energy and surpass the record set last year, with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) confirming Earth Hour 2012 resulted in savings of Dh1.2 million or 216 megawatts of energy, along with 130,000kgs in carbon emissions.

On March 23, participants around the globe will join the intiative to turn off the lights and unnecessary home appliances for one hour to assure the importance of preserving natural resources, protecting the environment, and conserving consumption and making it a part of daily lifestyle.

Landmarks go dark

Reem Al Thawadi, Earth Hour Project Manager at Emirates Wildlife Society, which works in association with the World Wide Fund for Nature (EWS-WWF), confirmed with Emirates 24|7 the key landmarks that have confirmed support for the cause include Burj Khalifa, the Hilton, Fairmont and Raffles Hotels in Dubai, along with the Sheikh Zayed Bridge, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Etihad Towers, amongst others in the capital.

Emaar Properties have also confirmed the Address Hotels and the Dubai Mall will follow suit; meanwhile, Majid Al Futtaim Properties’ six shopping malls across the UAE have also stepped up.

The group has confirmed that for the set 60 minutes, all non-essential lights such as external signage, building facade, external landscaping and office lights will be turned off at Ajman City Centre, Deira City Centre, Fujairah City Centre, Mall of the Emirates, Mirdif City Centre and Sharjah City Centre.

In addition, car parks will have lights dimmed to 30-33 per cent or pole lights will be lit, if lights are off for safety reasons.

Public interior lights of the mall will also stay on for the security of mall visitors.

Dubai Municipality has also confirmed the lights to most of its buildings will also be dimmed.

Also, Ski Dubai has confirmed it will turn off the lights and illuminate the venue with candle torches lining the ski slope to create the illusion of a candle descent, culminating into a faux camp fire at the bottom of the slope.

Numerous Ski Dubai instructors will also be fitted out in glow-in-the-dark uniforms customised for the occasion.

EWS-WWF’s Al Thawadi continued: “In 2012 we reached out to more than three million people in the UAE with the Earth Hour message and it was the first time all seven emirates joined the call, which was an encouraging achievement.

 “We hope even more of the UAE community will see our message this year and choose to participate alongside the many hundreds of thousands of people from around the world.”

Take the challenge

This is the second year the UAE will participate in the ‘I Will If You Will’ pledge, whereby individuals will fulfill challenges if others pledge their commitment to the environment.

Last year, concerned resident Reem pledged she would cycle around in a public park wearing a panda suit, if 300 people in the UAE upload their own challenges, while resident Joe Akkawi pledged that if 300 people stop printing emails, he owuld shave his hair in the shape of planet earth.

 “The ‘I Will If You Will’ campaign is a brilliant platform to challenge friends, family and colleagues to go beyond the hour by pledging to an environmental commitment. World leaders, celebrities and individuals took part around the globe last year,” said Al Thawadi.

Prominent members of the UAE community such as Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi (the Green Sheikh), RJ Kris Fade and Ali Al Saloom also participated by submitting their challenges and inspiring others to adopt greener practices during 2012.

Ali Al Saloom has renewed his pledge for this Earth Hour 2013, as well, said Ak Thawadi, which stated that he would give up all three mobile phones if 10,000 people give up using plastic bags and use eco-friendly bags instead.

Al Thawadi added: “There are some very inspiring stories from around the world of people who have put forward their 2013 challenge, including a pledge from the former president of Botswana, Festus Mogae, who has promised to plant one million indigenous trees over a four-year period.”

Beyond the hour

“When it comes to Earth Hour, switching off the lights is just the beginning. The symbolic action behind Earth Hour resonates beyond the hour, and shows that if we all commit to a simple action for the sake of the environment, we can make a difference,” said Ida Tillisch, Acting Director General of EWS-WWF in a statement.

She added: “We also look forward to continue working beyond the hour with our enthusiastic partners that are making this event a success in the UAE.”

Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia in 2007, when more than two million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned off the lights and unnecessary appliances for one hour to take a stand for protecting planet Earth.

The initiative quickly evolved to become a global environmental movement of solidarity in which millions of people across the world recognised the importance of protecting the planet.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, DEWA is organising Earth Hour in the emirate in partnership with Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) and EWS-WWF, and in cooperation with Emaar Properties.

EWS-WWF reps say there are a number of ways people can go beyond the hour by adopting a more sustainable lifestyle by reducing energy consumption and water consumption:

– Try leaving your car at home a few times a week and hop on the metro, bus, walk or use your bicycle

– Get a reusable water bottle and pledge to stop using disposable plastic bottles

– Replace a meaty meal or two each week with a vegetarian option and you will help lower carbon emissions

– Look for sustainable fish options and contribute to healthier oceans. If you are in the UAE, you can use the Choose Wisely consumer fish guide (choosewisely.ae) to help you select more sustainable options

– Replace your regular bulbs with energy saving light bulbs. They are much more efficient and last up to 10 times longer

– Set your air conditioning to 2-3 degrees higher than you normally do. You’ll hardly notice the difference, but it will make a difference to your energy use

– Use a bucket not a hose when washing your car. You will save up to 180 litres of water per wash

– When brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing vegetables or dishes, remember to switch the tap off. You will save up to 34 litres each time

– Go native and choose local plants, as they need less water and do better in the UAE climate.

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