Earth Hour and activities in UAE

Earth Hour is all about spreading the awareness of environmental issues in our global and local communities. It is an annual global event organized by WWF (World Wild Fund for Nature) encouraging individuals, communities, corporates, and households to turn off their lights to show support for fight against climate change and commitment towards better planet. Every year on the last Saturday of the month of March from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., millions across the world choose to turn off their lights for one hour to celebrate their commitment to the planet. Earth hour 2020 will be on Saturday, March 28, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

History of Earth Hour

Earth Hour started in Sydney, Australia, in 2007. This event saw 2.2 million homes and businesses turn their lights off for one hour to make their stand against climate change that year. Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating in 2008. Global landmarks such as the, Sydney Harbour Bridge, the CN Tower in Toronto, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness for Earth Hour.

Earth hour in UAE

Last year, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) reported record energy savings of 267 megawatts, in electricity consumption in the emirate, equivalent to a reduction of 114 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Lights from Dubai’s brightest landmarks were switched off across the city – including Burj Khalifa

In Dubai, during the Earth hour event there is The Earth Hour Walk, the most prominent activity. The event starts at 8:30pm. A large number of officials from the public and private sectors take part in this walk. For the past 2 years, I have participated in the Earth Hour activities happening in the UAE.

Earth hour significance

Now you may be thinking how switching off light for one hour can do to the world?.  Actually switching off lights is a symbolic action. This is an initiative for all individuals, companies and authorities to take accountability of their ecological footprint.  It symbolizes a commitment to change beyond the hour.

I hope that this Earth Hour, all of us can make a promise to protect our planet.