Dubai: The UAE is gearing up for Earth Day with dozens of celebrations scheduled for Saturday during the day and for the actual hour of observation beginning at 8:30pm.

In partnership with Earth Day organisers Emirates Wildlife Society-World Wildlife Fund, government and private events are planned from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Sharjah.

Offices and residences in the UAE will go dark for Earth Hour 2016 to send a message of environmental conservation and preservation.

The mantra behind Earth Day is spreading awareness about the global movement to limit global temperature increases to below 1.5 degree Celsius in the latter half of this century by embracing strategies that reduce greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

 

Earth Day events in UAE

 

Abu Dhabi

 

Abu Dhabi Municipality will switch off lights and organise a candle walk on Al Bateen Beach. In addition, they will host awareness-raising activities at their offices on Salam Street.

 

Yas Mall: A three-hour event that involves dimming the lights as well as an activation with Petroleum Institute.

 

Saadiyat Beach Golf Club celebrates Earth Hour with The Big Picnic featuring food truck stations, games and activities on March 19. When darkness falls, the glow sticks come out. Picnic from 2pm, Earth Hour from 8.30pm. .

 

Park Rotana & Park Arjaan by Rotana Abu Dhabi will hold ‘Yoga in the Dark’ at Park from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.

 

Beach Rotana: Join colleagues and guests alike in the hotel Courtyard and surrounding beach area as they turn off the lights and look to the stars.

 

Chalhoub Group takes action on climate change. They join WWF and people around the world by switching off the lights of their stores across the region during Earth Hour.

 

Le Royal Meridien has planned a series of activities for guests and associates. Switching off lights in the hotel as well as associate accommodations, awareness training for associates, associate gathering in a public park and collection and donation of used linen are part of the Earth Hour celebrations.

 

Janna Burj Al Sarab: Darkness envelops the entire 18 floors from 8.30pm to 9.30pm to mark the occasion. Hotel employees armed with lit candles will gather in the lobby to form the 60+ shape. Meanwhile, the hotel’s new restaurant, The Dining Room, will hold a candlelit dinner for guests.

 

Yas Viceroy will switch off and at their restaurant Cipriani; guests can enjoy a four-course meal amid a sea of candles with the beautiful Yas Marina as a backdrop.

 

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi, will be turning off all non-essential lights around the hotel. Head to the beach for yoga by candlelight, followed by drinks at the beach bar, open especially for the event. Book a place for yoga on 02-6543160.

 

Dubai

 

#EarthHourDubai, a walk and activities hosted by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and Supreme Council of Energy to show support to Earth Hour Dubai at Bay Avenue Park, Business Bay, 4-10pm. Call 04-6019999.

 

Dubai Garden Glow is hosting festivities before turning off the lights at 8:30pm.

 

Emaar Properties will turn off its lights to celebrate Earth Hour, including Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall, The Dubai Fountain, Dubai Marina Mall, Souk Al Bahar, Gold & Diamond Park and The Address Hotels.

 

The Amwaj Rotana, Jumeirah Beach is donating proceeds from candles sold at various restaurant outlets, front desk and Bodylines fitness club to support the SENSES Care Home for Children with Special Needs towards the payment of their Dewa utility bill.

 

Sheraton Grand Hotel is hosting a candlelit treat at Feast Restaurant, a unique sustainable corner with eco-friendly and tasty products that respect the earth.

 

Screening of Home, an educational and engaging documentary by Yann Arthus-Bertrand to celebrate Earth Hour. The film features aerial shots of 54 countries, depicting how Earth’s problems are all interlinked. At JLT Community Park, behind Cluster O, at 7.30pm. Free, register at facebook.com/locomotionuae.

 

Fairmont Dubai serves an organic meal in the dark at Noire, using environmentally and animal-friendly farmed ingredients. Guests experience a complete loss of vision for an hour and a half and put their trust in the hands of executive chef Tuomas Heikkinen, at 7.30pm on March 19. Price: Dh325, includes a three-course organic menu with paired beverages. Call 04-3118316 or email dbi.fbconcierge@fairmont.com.

 

Candlelit dinner at The Farm, Al Barari, 7pm. The evening begins with a hypnotherapy session hosted by the founder of Biolite Aesthetic Clinic, Dr Mona Mirza, followed by dinner in the heart of the green oasis. Call 04-3925660.

 

The Sheraton Grand Hotel will be turning off lights in common areas from 8.30 to 9.30pm and instead use candlelight. Feast restaurant will have eco-friendly dishes made of products that respect the earth. Healthy sustainable snacks will be available in the hotel’s lobby. Call 04-5034444.

 

Towers Rotana has a glow-in-the-dark party at Longs Bar, 50 per cent discount on selected beverages, music by the resident DJ. Teatro will serve a candlelit dinner, while Bodylines Rooftop Pool area will have yoga under the stars conducted by Guruji Sanjeev Krishnan from Rhythm Yoga (offered to in-house guests and Bodylines Fitness Centre members only). Call 04-3438000.

 

Sheraton Dubai, Mall of The Emirates will be turning off its lights; Vantage Bar situated on the fifth floor of the hotel will offer guests free canapés under the stars, on the candlelit terrace of the venue; the food comes from a sustainable menu.

 

Jannah Marina Bay Suites has an hourlong acoustic concert by Dubai-based indie folk music duo Nowhere Birds (Jules Suarez and Mitchiko Bagayna), free entry. Call 800-JANNAH.

 

 

Sharjah

 

Bee’ah is celebrating Earth Hour 2016 through activities and workshops for all age groups to promote Earth Hour and raise awareness.

 

Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in collaboration with Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) will host an event at Al Majaz Waterfront from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and will include an awareness exhibition about Earth Hour, a themed wall graphic, selfies, educational workshops, audience competitions, entertaining clowns, glowing T-shirts and other giveaways and educational brochures.

 

 

With inputs from tabloid! and Emirates Wildlife Society-World Wildlife Fund