Iconic Dubai landmarks turn dark for Earth Hour

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.