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UAE 'Pulls the Plug' to Mark Earth Hour

DUBAI - Seven-year-old Mohammed let out a soft scream as the lights went out at the Jumeirah Beach Residence Walk. He held his mother's hand as he placed a plastic lantern on the sandy ground, where hundreds of other lanterns were placed together to form the words 'Earth Hour'.

Dubai was plunged into darkness on Saturday night as crowds thronged the grounds opposite the Hilton Jumeirah with plastic lanterns and illuminating badges of the UAE National flag to raise awareness of the city's second Earth Hour.

Children and adults belonging to various nationalities came together along with officials from various governmental organisations like DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority), Du, and various other companies.

Speaking to Moaz Sawaf, the Communications and Marketing Officer, of the Emirates Wildlife Society, who was participating for the programme said, "There is a great increase in the participation of the people as compared to last year. Last year, on a global scale, Dubai was placed the 13th country to have the maximum number of participants for Earth Hour; this year I am sure there will be more."

He added that the Dubai government's participation was vital in increasing the awareness for the project and reducing UAE's carbon footprint, and reducing the consumption of electricity in the emirates.

Khaleej Times caught up with various participants of the second Earth Hour project as well.

Linda Cowin, a tourist in Dubai from the Isle of Man said, "We arrived a week ago in Dubai, and I think this is a great way to increase awareness especially among the younger generation."

Scottish nationals Andrew Dickson and Steven Nicolson agreed saying that this was a great way to raise awareness especially among the younger generation.

"It's not like the consumption would decrease overnight. It's a gradual process, but it's vital that we work towards it." said Nicolson.

Kourosh Nouri, Director of Carbon 12, an Art Gallery in Dubai said, "I participated for Earth Hour last year and it's great that Dubai is repeating the initiative this year as well. Earth Hour is bound to have an incredible impact especially on the younger generation" He added that from a yearly initiative, Earth Hour should progress into a monthly and eventually a weekly initiative. "It's vital that the coming generations must be given a chance to breathe clean air," said Kouroush.

All Majid Al Futtaim group of malls in the MENA region including four in the UAE, two in Oman, two in Egypt, and one in Bahrain supported the cause by switching off its non-essential exterior lighting for an hour.

Indian national Ahmed Kamal said that his eight-year old son, was so keen on the project that he forced his parents to switch their lights off, and drew pictures highlighting its importance.

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