Support grows for Earth Hour in Dubai

DUBAI — The city's residents are being encouraged to turn their lights off for an hour on March 29 as support grows for climate change initiative Earth Hour.

By Staff Reporter

Published: Wed 26 Mar 2008, 9:22 PM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 6:49 PM

Dubai Municipality on March 26 announced it has launched an extensive media and awareness campaign to support Earth Hour, which calls for non-essential lighting to be turned off for an hour on March 29 at 8pm "to send a message across the world that we have the power to take action against global warming."

Municipality Environment and Public Health Affairs Assistant Director-General Abdullah Raffia said extensive advertising has been done and notices in Arabic and English distributed in government offices and shopping malls.

"We have already issued an internal circular urging more than 10,000 staff members of Dubai Municipality to participate in the campaign by switching off non-essential lights as well as electrical and electronic appliances in their houses. The circular also urges the staff to personally sign up on the website: www.earthhour.org to show their support," he said.

Hilton Hotels Middle East and Africa announced it would support the cause by turning off non-essential lighting and appliances in 44 hotels across 14 countries for the hour.

Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort is championing the light-saving drive with candlelit dinners in its restaurants.

Jean-Paul Herzog, President, Hilton Hotels, Middle East & Africa, commented, "We whole-heartedly support Dubai's call for action on global warming as an extension of our dedication to the communities in which we work, operate and live."

Dubai, with 1.3 million residents, is the first Arab city to declare its support for Earth Hour, which will be led by Dubai Holding and the Dubai Water and Electricity Authority (DEWA) and has the support of Dubai International Financial Centre, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai World Trade Centre, Nakheel, Emaar and Leo Burnett.

The WWF-supported initiative, which began in Sydney, Australia, in 2007, is now a worldwide environmental movement that will see millions of people turn off non-essential lighting. Earth Hour will roll through 14 time zones and more than 25 cities, starting in New Zealand and ending in the Pacific Time Zone.