Icons plunge into darkness to shed light on planet

Dubai/Abu Dhabi: Iconic landmarks across the UAE dimmed their lights for one hour on Saturday evening as part of the World Wide Fund for Nature's (WWF) global Earth Hour initiative.

Government departments, local businesses and hotels were plunged into darkness in Dubai between 8.30pm and 9.30pm.

Dubai International Airport switched off lighting at all its duty free stores across its three terminals while travellers ate in food courts lit by candlelight. Lights at the Burj Dubai, the tallest building in the world, were also switched off as part of the initiative.

Hundreds of people gathered at The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence, the focal point of Dubai's participation in the event, to watch some of the city's most famous landmarks, including the Burj Al Arab, dim their lights.

Residents received T-shirts, caps and lanterns upon arrival. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) switched off lights at The Walk as well as at all commercial advertising spots on Jumeirah and Sufouh roads.

Thousands of people attending the Coldplay concert in Abu Dhabi, were shown a short film on Earth Hour before the gig started.

All carbon emissions generated as a result of the concert are to be calculated to generate the event's total carbon footprint. Based on the total figure, 'carbon credits' will fund an international gold standard certified sustainability project.

Abu Dhabi Police participated in the Earth Hour by switching off lights at its main premises and dimming lighting in other departments. Warning and security systems continued to work normally.

Major General Ahmad Nasser Al Raisi, Director General of Central Operations at Abu Dhabi Police, said the move has not affected emergency systems as light was reduced at the departments whose work is round-the-clock.

Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi participated by turning its lobby lights off. Hundreds of guests and visitors were gathered at the lobby, surrounded by candlelights.

The Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah switched off lights in the garden and in corridors and offices for one hour, conserving 1,600 kilowatts of electricity.

Over 1,800 cities in more than 80 countries pledged their support to Earth Hour 2009 with some of the world's landmarks plunging into darkness, including Sydney Harbour Bridge, Edinburgh Castle and the Pyramids.

Do you think the Earth Hour is effective in raising awareness on environmental issues? Did you participate in the Earth Hour? How was the experience? Send us your photos by clicking here
 

Your comments

I fully endorse Mr. Prasant Krishnan's genius! In his opinion... in places like India, regular power cuts happen on a daily basis and are equivalent to earth hour around the world. So people in India should not celebrate the Earth Hour is his sincere advice. Let's all make sure we do not give in to such kind of negative heroes, who burn midnight oil to offer advice meant to be marked as spam.
Reuben Smile
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 15:12

I just wish that Earth Hour was promoted commercially here in Dubai so that many were able to participate..Earth is our own so let's be more serious and helpful about it. We tried to turn off everything but when I went out, others didn't know about it...
Eunicelle
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 15:06

I like the idea of 'Earth Hour' but wonder how many are even aware of it! I switched off the lights/main switches and went for a walk to the nearby park during Earth Hour, only to see lights on residential and commercial buildings and even the sprinklers turned on after a good rain!!! I wondered if I was the only person observing Earth Hour :)
Judy Varghese
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 13:31

I was looking forward to March 28 to involve my children in this righteous act. I am sure they will pass on the message to their friends that will invariably cascade the spirit and purpose of this whole endeavour of '1-hour switching off.' In my apartment building, residents participate. Secondly, schools can do a more effective work on the issue of Conservation; mere poster-making assignments, without explaining the implications of protecting and conserving of our energy and natural resource, will just not do. What upset me a little: There was hardly any mention in some of the popular radio stations that I tuned in (during the UAE Earth Hour) to check for updates. Otherwise, most of these stations go yap, yap yap for commercial and veiled business reasons; every RJ attempting to outwit and supposedly entertain or educate the listeners. Count me in, if any enterprise or establishment is serious about bringing down the CO2-Emission levels in UAE.
Reuben Smile
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 13:15

Places like in India have power failure on a daily basis which is equivalant to earth hour around the world. So why should people in India celebrate earth hour?
Prasanth Krishnan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 12:29

Yes, I certainly think it's effective. I and my family participated in the Earth Hour by switching off the main switch for one hour. We lit the candles in the hall, opened the windows and since the climate was pleasant, all the members of the family were enjoying chating instead of watching the TV. It was a wonderful experience!
Vilma Gonsalves
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 12:25

yes! but i guess this kind of programmes have to be very effective in providing and teaching more economical use of power source. For eg. a/c which creates more environmentally unfriendly gas ,as well consumes more power, has to be used wisely to get the comfort with less damaging the earth. This sort of things do play a vital role in diminishing global warming rather than shutting off the light for one hour...
Pawan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 12:07

Yes, it does. I switched off the lights at sharp 8.30 PM and did not use candle lights even. I simply sat in the balcony of my flat with my two children and wife and enjoyed the rain. It was disheartening to note at that point that not many in my locality bothered to participate in the Earth Hour campaign. However, I had the pleasure and satisfaction that I contributed my bit to the Save Mother Earth Slogan.
Muralidhar
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 12:02

I fell this 'Earth Hour' should be there every month. It would really help.
Celina
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 11:48

Unfortunately, I didnt feel the earth hour was taken seriously. I personally switched off all lights and left home, while to my surprise the festival city lights were all on, all street lights were on, and it was just another normal consuming day. Even showrooms that were out of business hours, had their lights on!
Nora
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 11:09

Earth Hour has raised the awareness levels on environmental issues to a great extent. People will now think twice before leaving an unwanted light on or a water tap running. A similar campaign about the awareness of 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse
Jiten Jeswani
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 11:08

It was nice to read this article. Even in my building most of occupants of the flats and corridors were in darkness during the said period but it was very saddening to note that the same flat occupants have their several electrical gadgets "on" even when not required. The lights in corridors and staircases continued to remain on. If only people try to save energy all the time the effect would be greater
Beena
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 10:43

I'm not sure about the figures and percentages of the amount of electricity that was saved by the 1 hour cut-off but if it has indeed helped the environment, then we should practice this more regularly. If not on a daily basis, then maybe two or three times a week, atleast for the residential houses. This should be done until such time that it becomes a habit for all just like brushing your teeth on a daily basis. I think we can then leave enough of Earth to see for the coming generations. Have a good day!
Prem
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 10:33

I participated last year too when I first heard of this remarkable event. This year as well I switched off all the lights and lit two candles and went on a drive to see the rest of Dubai in the dark!
Leena
Dubai,uae
Posted: March 29, 2009, 10:30

I hope there will be more awareness and encouraged participation in the coming Earth Hour Events as I didn't feel much of it from the whole of Dubai. I tried in my own little way by not using any electrical appliance at home during the hour but couldn't push my flatmates to do so. Furthermore, it would have been nice also if there was even just a moment considered for this event during the Dubai Cup.
Emma
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 09:47

I participated in Earth Hour, which was very effective in my home. My 6-year old kid made sure that we switch off all lights. Having dinner in candle light was a momentous experience. We decided to have one Earth Hour every week from now!
Ashok
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 09:32

I loved how Dubai took part, however I must say it may have been a waste in some ways, considering that major malls didn't participate, and many of the largest supermarkets across the city had their neons blazing bright throughout the day.
Anthony Permal
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 09:28

Yes, I did contribute by switching off all the electricity in my house for more than two hours. I felt extremely good about having saved considerable electricity and having done my bit to the earth hour. I would even go to the extend of advocating this type of exercise on a regular basis - say once a month. Why does this have to wait for the earth hour every year? Just imagine how much electricity can be saved apart from reducing the carbon emissions!
Vijay Menon
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 09:02

Yes.Good experience,in my villa we saved the energy.
Anand.V
Doha,Qatar
Posted: March 29, 2009, 08:59

I personally observed the Earth Hour last night. I feel that this event was not well dessiminated to all and only a few gave concern about it. I can say in Dubai only above mentioned areas switched off their lights. Not everybody was aware of it.
April
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 08:53

This should be done more often, than just once a year. It should rightfully be a monthly arrangement. We owe much more to the environment than one day a year.
Jeny Michaels
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 08:44

Thank God that Dubai and UAE started thinking of saving Power !
Ramchandran Payyoor
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 08:35

it was a good and happy experiance to share a period of time for the environmental
Aneel
dubai,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 08:15

Turning lights off for an hour one day a year doesn't show real commitment to reducing energy consumption. After all, doesn't the UAE rank first or second in water consumption per capita in the world?
Jason
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 29, 2009, 07:54