UAE observed Earth Hour 2019 on 30^th March by switching off non-essential lights and appliances for 60 minutes. This helped to save 267 megawatts of electricity in Dubai for that hour. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) and many organizations got together with Emirates Nature-WWF to show their support to environmental cause. This resulted in significant energy savings equivalent to a reduction of 114 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere.

Many of UAE’s landmarks, prominent tourist attractions and government buildings participated by turning off their lights for an hour. For an hour, the city that sleeps seemed to be in rest under dark. Dewa announced the energy savings applauding the contribution from individuals and businesses lowering UAE’s carbon footprint. Dewa said it subtracts the peak energy use before and the drop in energy use during Earth Hour.

The official event was conducted in an area called Marasi Marina in Business Bay, Dubai. Dewa went a step further and said the 12 hours of Earth Hour since 2008 reduced 2652 megawatts in Dubai, equivalent to about 1,132 tonnes of CO2

Using the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Dewa offset the carbon emissions resulting from Earth Hour 2019 activities with Certified Emission Reductions credits from its projects.

As a member of Emirates Environmental Group for the past 9 years, I have participated in the Earth Hour for 7 years so far. The event helps one learn the ways to reduce energy consumption in different eco-friendly activities in addition to reducing use of electricity.