Earth Hour is one of the largest environmental initiatives where hundreds of cities around the world come together to highlight the importance of undertaking strict measures to counter environmental challenges, such as climate change, global warming, and the unprecedented decrease of biodiversity. Earth Hour was first organised in Sydney, Australia, in 2007. It expanded into a global solidarity movement where millions of people around the world take part by turning off unnecessary lights and electric appliances. Dubai’s landmarks and buildings also turn off their lights from 8:30 to 9:30 pm on the last Saturday of March every year.
Dubai was the first Arab city to organise Earth Hour
In line with the wise leadership’s commitment to promote environmental awareness among society members and support global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) organised the Earth Hour for the first time in 2008, becoming the first Arab city to join it. Dubai achieved significant results over the last 12 years in reducing electricity use and carbon emissions. During Earth Hour 2019, DEWA recorded a reduction of 267 megawatts (MW) in electricity use in Dubai; which is equal to reducing 114 tonnes of carbon emissions.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA has praised government and private organisations as well as individuals who participate in Earth Hour every year. “Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, DEWA has been organising Earth Hour since 2008 to highlight sustainable practices that make positive change in climate work. The results achieved in Dubai every year, underline the important role of society members in conserving energy use and reducing the carbon footprint. The objective of Earth Hour is to encourage people to adopt a responsible lifestyle in using electricity and water to support the national efforts to reduce carbon emissions and protect natural resources to ensure their availability, for generations to come. Earth Hour goes beyond reducing consumption and carbon emissions. The aim is to make conservation and protecting the environment a lifestyle, to counter climate change,” said Al Tayer.
DEWA observes Earth Hour 2020 on 28 March, with the theme ‘Raise your voice for nature.’ DEWA has urged customers and the public to participate in Earth Hour, by turning off unnecessary lights and electric appliances from 8:30 to 9:30 pm.
DEWA has also invited public and private organisations to support Earth Hour, by registering on the event’s website, www.earthhour.ae and promote it on their social media channels using the hashtags #EarthHourDubai, #Connect2Earth, and #RaiseYourVoice.