Minister of Energy is Earth Hour is celebrated to increase awareness about the behaviour and practices that will lead to reducing energy and water consumption.
The recent ban on sale of inefficient bulbs in the UAE saved more than Dh660 million per year on energy bills and carbon emissions, said Dr Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water as the UAE celebrated Earth Hour 2014 on Saturday.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice-Chairman of the Supreme Council of Energy, and MD and CEO of DEWA (centre) and other officials lighting the votive candles at Business Bay Park.— KT photo by Leslie Pableo
For an hour from 8.30pm to 9.30pm, all lights were dimmed when cities in the UAE joined 7,000 others across the world.
Al Fahad said the ban, that will come into effect on July 1, is equivalent to removing 165,000 cars off the road and 940,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
He noted that the UAE has drawn up a green development strategy to transform itself into a green economy and reduce its carbon emissions and per capita ecological footprint.
Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy, said it is time to adopt an energy-efficient lifestyle. He said the main reason for celebrating Earth Hour is to increase awareness about the behaviour and practices that will lead to reducing energy and water consumption, and to a better way of life for the whole community.
People throng Dubai’s Earth Hour event
Meanwhile, Dubai Electricity and water Authority (Dewa) drew crowds at Business Bay Park where the Earth Hour event was held. Bouncy castles with shrieking children jumping on them, helium balloons glowing in the air with Earth Hour logos and the WWF panda were some of the sights at the event.
Government officials lighting up candles at Sharjah Aquarium for the Earth Hour. — KT photos by M. Sajjad
Crowds also witnessed the traditional line dance by Emirati men where very young boys swayed to the beats of Arabic music. Parikshit Goel, an eight-year old accompanying his mother, shouted to be heard over the music. “Mama, look! Look! It’s coming to us!”
He was talking about the multi-coloured long-range laser beam lights that had flooded the area.
Hundreds of people lit votive candles in one corner, and wore colourful LED bracelets to show solidarity to the cause of saving energy.
Ahmed Ali Nasser, an Emirati father of four, said he went to the event for the sake of his children. “They love it! Even last year they were saying let’s go for Earth Hour”.
Al Nasser said he had no choice but “to come back again this year.” His eldest son was especially thrilled to see a man on stilts in a black costume that glowed with LED lights. Or as they called them, illumination bracelets.
with inputs from Wam
news@khaleejtimes.com