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Iconic Dubai landmarks turn dark for Earth Hour

Earth Hour event set to be biggest yet with thousands of cities taking part

  • AFP
  • Published: 00:00 March 27, 2010
  • Gulf News

Burj Khalifa during Earth Hour
  • Image Credit: Sankha Kar/Gulf News
  • Dubai's Burj Khalifa tower is pictured during Earth Hour.
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Dubai: Hundreds of people, from Emiratis in white robes to foreigners in shorts, marched with small lanterns to mark Earth Hour on Saturday, as the lights went out in some of Dubai’s landmarks and most iconic buildings.

The Burj Al Arab hotel turned off its lights for Earth Hour, along with Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, and many other buildings and homes across the city.

The march was led by a line of Emiratis, followed by ranks of policemen and fire fighters and an eclectic mix of others whose bobbing electric lanterns shone along the blocked-off Jumeirah Road.

“We’re what you could call ‘eco warriors’, so anything we do as a community to raise awareness for this terrific issue, we’re there,” said Mohammad, a 35-year-old Emirati. “It’s an opportunity to show the world that we are one when it comes to the planet,” said his friend Yahya, 36, also an Emirati.

“I want to conserve energy,” nine-year-old Indian Kehkashan Basu, who is a regular community contributor to Gulf News and member of the Gulf News Readers Club, said. “The time to act is now,” she added.

The march wound down around the time that the local Earth Hour came to an end at 9.30pm (17:30 GMT). A group of young Emirati men gathered and began to sing and dance as marchers filed away. Earth Hour, during which people are encouraged to shut off their lights and other appliances, was being marked by 125 countries on Saturday. The event was started in 2007.
 

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Comments (14)

  1. Added 12:38 March 29, 2010

    It seems people here don't care or didn't want to make an effort. I left Sharjah at 8, hoping to see some lights off, especially the ones on Sheikh Zayed Road, but nothing happened. Why are the lights of all the high rise business towers on Sheikh Zayed Road switched on during the weekend? What a waste! You know what would make more sense than an Earth Hour every year (which is why Valentine's Day is such an over-rated waste!)? If people and companies and authorities actually enforced the saving of electricity.

    Osama, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  2. Added 16:52 March 28, 2010

    There were very nice flying lanterns that were lit as well during Earth Hour Dubai.

    Sahar, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  3. Added 15:53 March 28, 2010

    Do you really think we performed our duty by switching off lights for one hour? (for those who actually did).What about those numerous lights, air-conditioners etc that stay on in offices/showrooms/under construction buildings etc every night? Just imagine the amount of energy that can be saved by switching off those!! Not for an hour, only during the time when they are not needed, is that a little too much to ask?

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  4. Added 15:42 March 28, 2010

    A few minutes before 8.30pm last night, my husband and I came out of our apartment after switching off all the lights and electrical apliances at home feeling happy 'coz we were able to participate in this noble cause to save the earth. It was sad to observe that for almost all the people in Sharjah, it was a normal day as usual. We were expected to see a darker UAE at least for one hour. Most people didn't even know that there was a thing called "Earth Hour". When it comes to environment friendly issues and saving the earth, people living in the UAE don't seem to care.

    Padma S, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

  5. Added 14:52 March 28, 2010

    8.30pm, we switched off all lights and water heaters in our Springs3 house. Only fridge was still on. We deciced to go for a walk around sprigs/Meadows lakes. First impression: neighbours dont read newspapers or watch TV... all lights were on inside AND outside! Second impression: street lights, fountain lights in the lakes and all building from Marine (seen from Springs) were as bright as usual. Conclusion: Dubai could have saved 10 times more kilowatt and CO2 with a lillte bit more of planning and involvment! Conclusion 2: for few years, I've been doing my personal Earth Hour at least once a month. It doesn't cost anything... beleive me! Cheers, B.

    Bruno, Belgian in Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  6. Added 13:41 March 28, 2010

    I had switched off all the lights at my place except the tele for I wanted to see how many had taken part in this? I am surprised that so much energy was saved...some people in my neighbourhood had their lights on so i guess if everyone makes an extra effort we can save more and more energy.This was my bit of putting an effort...if not complete but to an extent and i am proud that i did it. A big thank you to all those who turned off in order to save our mother earth!

    Shine, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  7. Added 13:27 March 28, 2010

    Where there's a will, there's a way!! Wish we could do this once every week!

    Arlene, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  8. Added 13:25 March 28, 2010

    May be its just for an hour, but it makes me glad that i took part in that. Especially when it saved so much of energy in Dubai, Think how much of energy is saved in the whole world.

    Anonymous, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

  9. Added 13:10 March 28, 2010

    We turned off our lights and appliances in JLT. However from my balcony I saw that Dubai Marina was ablaze with lights. 7 buildings being developed in JLT had lights ablaze - even more than usual. Meadows was no different, football fields ablaze, houses ablaze, and hardly anyone in JLT turned off a light. Only token switching off of lights. It seems that Dubai could do better than the 170 Kilowatt hour if we all pitch in and do our bit and not leave it to only those who care about the environment.

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  10. Added 12:22 March 28, 2010

    I did my bit, switched off all the lights and electrical appliances and went for a nice long walk. But, it was really disappointing to see many buildings, shops, advertisment banners brightly lighted up as usual. I'm not sure how many people actually knew aboout Earth Hour!! Wish we could do little more to enlighten people about this initative.

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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