UAE | Environment
Thousands in Dubai to join Earth Hour drive
Famous landmarks in Dubai to switch off all non-essential lights for one hour in support of the World Wide Fund for Nature's Earth Hour.
- By Kevin Scott, Staff Reporter
- Published: 12:52 March 28, 2008
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
- Residents will join organizations across the emirate in switching off all non-essential lights for one hour at 8pm on Saturday, March 29.
Dubai: Thousands of residents will join organisations across the emirate in switching off all non-essential lights for one hour in support of the World Wide Fund for Nature's (WWF) Earth Hour on Saturday.
Famous landmarks including the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Emirates Towers and Madinat Jumeirah will switch off their exterior lights at 8pm.
Nakheel has informed all staff and residents of Palm Jumeirah, Gardens, Jumeirah Islands, International City and Discovery Gardens of the event and its importance.
“It included guidance on how to participate on the night," said Aaron Richardson, spokesperson for Nakheel. He said Earth Hour was an excellent tool in creating awareness of the small steps that both organisations and individuals can take to be more environmentally responsible.
During Earth Hour, Ibn Battuta Mall will turn off its floodlights and exterior lighting. “We will aim to extinguish all non-essential lights across our offices and construction sites. We will also liaise with third party contractors with the aim of extinguishing all non-essential lights on their own sites," he added.
Abdullah Raffia, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality for Environment and Public Health Affairs, said the awareness campaign was launched and it has 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 house.
Marco Nijhof, Senior Vice President for Jumeirah Group - Gulf Region, said: " We are also encouraging our guests to actively participate by switching off their lights."
Union Properties PJSC (UP) will also switch off the external lights of UP Tower, its prominent landmark building on Shaikh Zayed Road.
Simon Azzam, Chief Executive Officer of Union Properties, said: "We look forward to joining Dubai and the rest of the world on this global movement to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.
The Dubai World Cup takes place at Nad Al Sheba on the same day but it will not be affected by the initiative.
Seb Vance, Media PR Manager for Dubai Racing Club, said: "Dubai Racing Club won't even be switching off non-essential lights as we cannot afford to jeopardize the safety of 55,000 racegoers. They are our first priority along with the horsemen competing in the event."
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