Tonight, between 8.30 and 9.30pm, the world's tallest building will not glitter like a star. The Burj Khalifa and the Downtown area will join other institutions and establishments all over the UAE to observe the Earth Hour. The UAE has been participating in this voluntary international event, which originated in 2007 in Australia and has shown a steady reduction in energy consumption during Earth Hour as more people are participating. In 2009, Dubai reduced the consumption of electricity by 146,000 kw/h and decreased the carbon dioxide emissions by 88,000 kilos, while in 2010 electricity was decreased by 170,000 kW/h and the emissions by 102,000 kilos.
Last year, the UAE had one of the highest per capita carbon footprints in the world. According to a UNDP report in 2003, the UAE emitted 33.6 tonnes per capita. But the country has been working towards reducing this with sustainable projects such as the Masdar City, and animal and nature conservation reserves.
New reforms
While the world is using eco-friendly products, the UAE lacks for the fact there's hardly any manufacturing of such products at home, says Anu Agarwal, director of Ekotribe, a retailer of green products in the UAE.
"A few years ago, the media was full of articles on climate change and carbon footprints, with the UAE being one of the biggest culprits. This led me to think how one as a family can go green besides recycling paper. In the Western world, there's an equivalent green product to every regular product. These products don't just help save energy, their manufacturing is totally green," Agarwal says. "Our suppliers' main concern was that we would be shipping all these to Dubai, which is not eco-friendly. But we needed these products as there's no manufacturing here."
Ekotribe offers not just your usual recycled paper products but solar-powered laptop and mobile covers, rechargeable USB batteries, t-shirts made from recycled plastic, maple wood toys and green surface cleaners. "We have a range of products everyone in the family can use — from the mother and teenager to the toddler. And our major clients are Europeans, who are aware and can identify with the products, besides Arab ladies who are eco-conscious".
Be kind to nature
Another store known for its energy-saving and waste-reducing products is Lakeland. According to Wendy Miranda, brand manager with Lakeland UK, being "environmentally friendly is being kinder to nature and the world we live in". Miranda, who refuses to throw food, shops daily and has a home full of second-hand furniture, says people can make a difference just by "recycling household items and giving clothing to charity; using food waste as compost; turning off lights; using the short washing cycle on a low temperature; running the dishwasher only when it's full; filling the wash basin rather than using the running tap". All this not only reduces power and water usage but saves money too.
"If everyone changes just one or two things in everyday life, the effect would be immeasurable," she says. But in the UAE too, people are conserving energy. Dubai-based Maya wrote to us saying she "refuses" plastic bags when shopping. "I love the jute bags Gulf News provided two and a half years ago — and I've been collecting cloth bags too. I tell the person at the counter to put it all in these. Only if I run short of space do I allow them to use plastic bags. I'm doing my bit."
Nigel Fernandes, a Sharjah-based student says, "As a student, I would like to commit to an action, though small, that would help the future of our planet. I will be setting my air-conditioner to 24 degrees instead of 20, walk whenever I can, use eco-friendly light bulbs, switch off electrical appliances instead of keeping them on standby and cut down on watching TV. These measures will help reduce carbon footprints."
As for myself, I'll be switching off all the lights at home and heading to the Burj Khalifa to enjoy festivities and do the Earth Hour walk. What's your plan?
Here are a few environment-friendly products that you can choose to make that little difference.
1. The Whirlpool ACM 924IX has been designed for the eco-friendly user. Fitted with energy-regulation technology (to reduce energy consumption), multi-function cooking technology and a digital timer display, this electric oven is priced at Dh2,299 and is available at Emax stores.
2. H&M is introducing Conscious Collection — a range for women, men and kids, made from environmentally adapted and sustainable materials such as organic cotton, Tencel and recycled polyester — from April 14. Designed in different shades of white, the range is tailored in a minimalistic fashion with lace, English embroidery, frills and draping.
3. Lakeland's colour-coded recycling bags serve all your needs. Each has a strip of Velcro along the sides, so they can be linked together for sturdy storage, besides carry handles for convenience. Available at Lakeland store, Mirdif City Centre, for Dh80.
4. Flattening bulky aluminium and steel cans of up to 475 millilitres has become easier with Pedal-style Can Crusher. Show your support for the environment ... by using your feet. Available at Lakeland store, Mirdif City Centre, for Dh90.
5. "Revenge is" has introduced its endangered species line of t-shirts in recognition of the accelerating pace of extinction of some of our animal species. These soft and silky t-shirts are made from eco-friendly fabrics, including a blend of organic cotton and polyester spun from recycled plastic bottles (RPET). Available at The Green Ecostore, Mercato Mall, for Dh150.
6. Take advantage of Osram ME's "two for the price of one" offer today. The Dulux star energy-saving lamps use up to 80 per cent less energy as compared to regular bulbs. Get two 15-watt or 20-watt bulbs for Dh20 at most leading supermarkets and hardware stores in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
7. Keep fruits and vegetables fresher for a longer time with Stayfresh Longer Bags. A unique formula slows down the natural ageing process and helps stop moisture and bacteria from forming, and can be reused. Pack of 20 gusseted bags comes in three sizes - 8x9 inches (Dh35), 10x15 inches (Dh40) and 11x18 inches (Dh50).
8. Sheer Soy candles use no paraffin wax and are hand poured using pure cotton wicks. They are free from pesticides and herbicides or genetically modified material and come in different smells. Available at The Green Ecostore, Mercato Mall, for Dh75.
9. Clean your house the green way with Simply Floored. It has no solvents, VOCs, silicones, ethoxylates and harsh surfactants. It's people- and pet-safe and comes in recycled packaging. Available at The Green Ecostore, Mercato Mall, for Dh32.
10. The rechargeable battery from Moixa Energy — the USBCELL can be used in normal battery applications and can be recharged by plugging into a USB port — anywhere, anytime. Rechargeable up to 500 times, it has a built-in intelligent USB charger and needs no cables or charger. Available at The Green Ecostore, Mercato Mall, for Dh80.
