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Dubai: Thousands of Dubai residents joined hands on Satuday in a parade to show the environment matters, as parts of the city were shrouded in darkness between 8 and 9pm to observe Earth Hour.
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) and Dubai Holding organised a walkathon on Jumeirah Road close to the Burj Al Arab, which switched off its exterior lighting at 8pm.
Gulf News also participated in observing Earth Hour by switching off the lights at its offices in Dubai at 8pm.
Students and public and private sector employees participated in the Earth Hour parade by walking two kilometres down Jumeirah Road holding lanterns as lights on the street were dimmed.
The parade moved from the Burj Al Arab to Jumeirah Beach Park and back, escorted by Dubai police.The start of the parade was marked by the switching off of the exterior lighting and fire fountain at the Burj Al Arab, Dubai's most prominent landmark, at 8pm.
First Arab city
Dubai was the first Arab city to declare its support for Earth Hour, which began in Sydney, Australia, in 2007, and became a worldwide environmental movement backed by the World Wildlife Fund.
Millions of people around the world participated yesterday by switching off non-essential lights.
Earth Hour rolled through 14 time zones, starting in New Zealand and ending in the Pacific Time Zone, sending a wave of darkness across the globe.
Dubai residents showed they cared about the environment and saving energy by switching off lights at their residences as well.
Some major landmarks in the city which marked Earth Hour by switching off their exterior lights included Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Emirates Towers and Madinat Jumeirah.
Residents of the Palm Jumeirah, Gardens, Jumeirah Islands, International City and Discovery Gardens also took part.
A large number of residents living in Bur Dubai, Satwa, Jumeirah, Al Wasl, Shaikh Zayed Road and Deira also switched off their lights for one hour. The Ibn Battuta Mall turned off its floodlights and exterior lighting.
Dubai Municipality participated in the event by turning off non-essential lights in all its offices. "A large number of our employees participated in the Earth Hour campaign by switching off lights at their houses," said an official.
Amal Koshak, head of investors relations at Dewa, said: "We are very happy with the response we have received from a large number of departments, schools, and individuals. We hope marking Earth Hour will help strengthen the concern over the environment, and will help conserve natural resources, as well as electricity and water".
The RTA did its part in observing Earth Hour by closing access to Jumeirah Road to make way for the walkathon, and reduce street lighting on the road and roads in 16 other residential areas of Dubai.
The lights at the RTA headquarters and other offices were switched off and awareness messages were displayed on the "intelligent traffic system" boards on Dubai's roads.
"This was part of the global effort by millions of people in switching off lights for one hour," said Hussain Al Banna, Director of RTA's Right of Way Services Department.
Your comments
As observed by other readers, not many participated in this energy awareness night. On my part, I switched off all lights and power connections at home. I intend to do it every night for one hour. Although electricity is included in my rent contract, I would love to follow this energy saving idea for a better future. I am sure I will have other people following this noble cause.
Sowri
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 30, 2008, 16:52
We in Abu Dhabi did our share too, yet Dubai always gets all the glamour! My wife and I also turned off all lights in our apartment last night and urged our friends to do the same. Wishing you a very happy Earth Day.
Khaled
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: March 30, 2008, 15:46
I am aware about the Earth Hour celebrations last night but wasn't able to feel the event. Maybe because this is the first time in Dubai. I hope that next year this will be a very big event and will be participated by Dubai residents and even tourists.
Malou
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 30, 2008, 14:39
I was happy to join in the effort to sensitise people to global warming. I switched off everything and went for a drive. It was appalling to see how many people were oblivious to this effort because their lights were as bright as ever. I applaud all the businesses, authorities and other people who participated. Even though the number was small it can still make a difference.
Anne
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 30, 2008, 13:25
I really liked this idea. I believe these small things can change the world. And I hope that more people will be involved next time. As well, we need to pay attention on other problems, like garbage and so on.
Maria
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 30, 2008, 12:23
I did my part, by closing all lights and electrical appliances at home and went on the beach for 2 hours from 8pm - 10pm with my entire family. I also made leaflets and distributed it around my area in Bur Dubai, Old Pakistani Consulate to create awareness, but I was amazed to see not many people doing so, neither residents nor shops, except Madina Plaza Supermarket in my area, none closed their lights or even switched of their sign board which uses a large amount of electricity. It wasn't much it was just for an Hour. This is for us and for our better future. I hope people understand this now before its too late. Lets all do our part to make this happen. It is a request.
Kamlesh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 30, 2008, 12:07
Next time everyone should switch of everything especially their laptops :)
Maryam
Dubai,United Arab Emirates
Posted: March 30, 2008, 11:54
It is good to see that Dubai has also joined the Earth Hour movement and did its bit yesterday. But dont you think that just cutting off power for one hour in a whole year does not actually make much of a difference to global warming? How much electricity is being wasted on illuminating buildings? If this is atleast reduced for all the days of the year, just imagine how much change it could literally make to global warming!!!
Lakshmi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 30, 2008, 11:07
Although I am not a resident of Dubai, I did my part towards observing the Earth Hour by switching all our lights at home and lighting candles. It would be nice if while promoting Earth Hour, radio stations and other media encouraged people all over the Emirates to observe Earth Hour rather than specifying time and again that "The city of Dubai will be observing Earth Day". Lets stand for the name as it goes: "United" Arab Emirates.
Evon
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: March 30, 2008, 11:00
I also have done my part.
However, I feel sorry to see that even with all the good efforts the majority is still not showing concern about the environment.
Saving electricity is one big step, but several little steps can be done every day, all the time to make our part.
I believed the big challenge for Dubai now is to start a SERIOUS campaign for recycling, also commercials on TV, school/companies programs teaching people that garbage is not supported to be tossed one the roads, which is a shame.
Flavia
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 30, 2008, 10:54
We at Regal Plaza Hotel tried our best to support Earth Hour. We had switched off the majority of electric lights and had more then 500 candles lit. It was a great experience and we enjoyed our little contribution towards it.
Regal Plaza Hotel
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 30, 2008, 10:29
It feels good when your city is also a part of Earth Hour. I too had switched off my lights and unplugged all non-essential devices. It was 8pm when I was just about to iron my clothes and go off to sleep but then I decided to wait for an hour and have no regrets doing it.
Faisal
Dubai,United Arab Emirates
Posted: March 30, 2008, 09:11
Camera! Action!......no lights?.....It was indeed an amazing experience to have so many people join in the drive to promote awareness of conservation of energy. Eco friendly drives such as these should be done on a regular basis.
Sam
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 30, 2008, 09:08
It has been a good intiative and we must make it a practice once in a month.
It can also be recommended to swich off the air conditioners,
which is one of the major cause for global warming.
Ajith
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 30, 2008, 09:03
Nice to hear that people are concerned about environmental issues. I switched off my home lights and went to the window, but I didnt see any changes in the Market area. DEWA should give the statstics of consumption of 8-9 pm in normal days.
Zubair
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 30, 2008, 08:30
Go Dubai!!!
Elisa
Wilmington,USA
Posted: March 30, 2008, 06:21
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