Go green, save the planet

A 60-minute observance of switching off carbon-emitting electrical appliances between 8.30 and 9.30pm during Earth Hour 2010 in Dubai had led to power savings of 16.4% compared to saving during Earth Hour 2009 Authorities in the city hope to go beyond the hour this year to further reduce emissions in its fight against climate change, according to a DEWA official.

“As with the power saved during Earth Hour 2010 in Dubai, it was truly a memorable day for DEWA. It was highly encouraging to see environment-conscious people honouring our call for the Lantern March at Burj Al Arab’s Beach Road. The energy savings registered on record was 170,000 kW/h (kilowatt per hour), with a corresponding reduction in carbon dioxide emission level of 102 tonnes. The heartening fact of the matter is the 16.4 per cent increment in power savings compared to 2009’s Earth Hour savings,” said Amal Koshak, Senior Manager - Demand & Tariff Management, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA). Dubai had seen a decrease in consumption of electricity by 146,000kW/h and fall in carbon emissions by 88 tonnes in 2009.

UAE holds a high rank for contributing large carbon emissions where the Ecological Footprint of the UAE is at 10.68 global hectares per person.

Based on data collected from a 2010 report titled, UAE Ecological Footprint Initiative, by the Emirates Wildlife Society-WWF (EWS-WWF), UAE households accounts for 57 per cent of the UAE’s resources consumption, followed by business and industry sector with 30 per cent
and government sector at 12 per cent. “There are many small steps that individuals can take in their homes to significantly reduce their electricity and water consumption,” said Koshak. “The recent advances in energy-efficient technologies that we have today promises a lot for one to save on electricity and water consumption and usage. It is savings on your wallet and savings for our planet. It is quite apparent, like the little drops that can make up the ocean, rational and responsible utility-consumption behaviour will collectively contribute to the mitigation rate of global warming. The concept and implications of global warming and climate change has begun to dawn in the minds of the general audiences. They are beginning to understand the equation of mitigating the threat of global warming through reducing their needless consumption of energy,” she added.

Earth Hour 2011 has brought about a new theme for this edition that aims to go ‘beyond the hour’ where focus is not only to switch off lights for a set number of minutes but for residents to continue to practice green habits throughout the year.

“The simple step that an individual can take is to conscientiously and deliberately rationalise one’s level of energy and water consumption and usage. Let’s remember, our generation would need them too inasmuch as we are being privileged. Speak to others around you the importance of conserving electricity and water; preserving our precious natural resources. For all that we know, until now, we are having only one livable planet! Sustaining its well-being is every individual’s responsibility, for peace and prosperity to prevail,” Koshak said.

There has been a rise in demand of electricity and water over the years where electricity demand for 2010 saw an increase around 9.6 per cent compared to year 2009 in peak demand while water saw an increase of around 5 per cent in Peak Day Desalination Demand.

“When the dynamics of any country, population and corresponding economic activities change, there will be a surge or slump in utility generation and production. Over the years there has been an incremental growth in demand of electricity and water which the authority (DEWA) was able to efficiently and uninterruptedly cater to its varied customer segments. All concerned authorities and agencies in the UAE are determined to address this scenario for the cause of sustaining our precious resources. For 2010, the consumption levels for electricity and water in Dubai was 32,551 Million kW/h and 82,755 MIG respectively,” said Amal Koshak, Senior Manager, Demand and Tariff Management, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA).

farhana@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE