Get smart and save the planet

Would you take up the challenge to save the planet? The country is set to be plunged into darkness for an hour on March 31. Residents are urged to join thousands in an annual symbolic march of solidarity against global warming.

From individuals to corporations and from families to schools, thousands have pledged their solidarity to Earth Hour 2012. In what may be called the world’s largest environmental event, several public and private initiatives are being planned across the UAE. Landmarks across the seven emirates will go dark for an hour on the day.

In Dubai, the hub of activities will be the Burj Park, starting at 5pm and followed by a candlelight march at 8.30pm. This year, the Earth Hour movement is being held under the slogan ‘I will, if you will’.

Ida Tillisch, acting director-general at the Emirates Wildlife Society-Worldwide Fund for Nature (EWS-WWF) said, “Earth Hour is not about turning off your lights for one hour, but an opportunity for all of us to reflect on how our everyday actions impact our environment.” She added that the event is a platform for the world to unite for a cause that means something to us all. “We encourage all residents to participate in this global initiative to demonstrate that by uniting our actions, we can make a difference and a positive change for our planet,” she noted.

Meanwhile, the Dubai Municipality and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) have pledged to participate in the Earth Hour campaign for the fifth consecutive year. All public parks under the DM and Children’s City will join the campaign, said Salem Mismar, Assistant Director-General of the municipality.

“There is nothing more valuable than our nature. We should adopt whatever methods are possible to educate the public on the importance of preserving the environment and the value of natural resources,” he added.

He said the municipality has completed the necessary preparations for the observation of Earth Hour and will turn off lights and other electrical equipment in the main centre in Deira as well as in all DM centres from 8.30pm to 9.30pm on March 31. The civic body is planning other programmes related to rationalising energy consumption at Children’s City affiliated with it and all DM employees will observe ‘Earth Hour’ in their households.

Director of Community Services at the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City Dr Badriya Al Dhahri said: “The municipality’s participation in this annual global event is intended to express our commitment to safeguarding the environment, coping with climatic changes, saving power consumption at a local level, and reducing gas emissions to protect from global warming — the biggest challenge facing the planet in the context of genuine endeavours to provide a better means of living on earth.”

Amal Koshak, Senior Manager, Marketing and Communication at the DEWA, said: “Earth Hour is a great and inspiring initiative for a better environment. It is a starting point for people to continue the passion and spirit of conservation and make a pledge, large or small, to preserve natural resources in their daily lives.”

How can you get involved?

Want to become a part of the global movement? Here is where you can go. Residents can celebrate at home with friends and family or join one of the following public events.

Abu Dhabi

Starts from 6pm

The Municipality of Abu Dhabi City is coordinating with the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation to organise an event at the Corniche which will include recycling stations and fun activities during which can drum to show their support for Earth Hour . The event is being organised as part of the Abu Dhabi Music Festival.

Dubai

Starts from 5pm

Join several others for a candlelight march in Burj Park Downtown. The public event being organised by the DEWA will also bear witness to the tallest building in the world switching off its lights for one hour to commemorate Earth Hour. The candlelight march will start at 8.30pm.

Sharjah

Starts at 6pm

In Sharjah, a family event is being planned in Al Majaz Park by the Environment and Protected Areas of Sharjah. Residents, especially children, can enjoy a host of activities including environmental competitions, a musical performance, a face painting contest and other fun-filled events.

Ras Al Khaimah

Starts at 8.30pm

In partnership with Al Manar Mall, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority is inviting the emirate’s residents to join a public gathering with an acoustic performance by Fusion Again music band. The performance will start at 8.30pm.

Fujairah

Starts at 8.30pm

A low key event will take place in front of the Fujairah Municipality, with candles and floating lanterns to mark Earth Hour.

There are also a number of other public events happening throughout the emirates. For details, check within the local community or on the EWS-WWF website — www.ewswwf.ae/earthhour

What can you do at home?

These are a few things you can do at home to conserve electricity:

• Use a microwave to cook as it is quicker and cheaper; one oven uses the same power as 18 microwave ovens
• Only fill kettle with the amount of water you need
• Replace conventional tungsten bulbs with compact-florescent lamps (CFLs). They are more expensive, but CFLs last eight times longer
• Turn off the lights that you do not need and use lighter lampshades as they will make the most of the energy
• Switch off the TV when not in use, leaving it on standby mode uses up to 50 per cent of the power the TV would use if it was actually on
• Shower instead of running a bath, as a shower uses much less water and therefore, less hot water and less electricity
• dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com