Dubai: Dubai is gearing up to support the World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) Earth Hour on Saturday.
Thousands of residents will join organizations across the emirate in switching off all non-essential lights for one hour at 8pm.
Abdullah Raffia, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality for Environment and Public Health Affairs, said the awareness campaign was launched with the objective of educating the public.
Union Properties PJSC (UP) will switch off the external lights of UP Tower, its prominent landmark building on Shaikh Zayed Road.
Simon Azzam, Chief Executive Officer of Union Properties, said: “We look forward to joining Dubai and the rest of the world on this global movement to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.”
Aaron Richardson, spokesperson for Nakheel said Earth Hour was an excellent tool in creating awareness of the small steps that both organizations and individuals can take to be more environmentally responsible.
“Nakheel’s participation is wide ranging and includes active communications to all staff and residents of The Palm Jumeirah, The Gardens, Jumeirah Islands, International City, and Discovery Gardens informing them of the event and its importance. This will include guidance on how to participate on the night,” he said.
“During Earth Hour, Ibn Battuta Mall will turn off its floodlights and exterior lighting and we will aim to extinguish all non-essential lights across our offices and construction sites. We will also liaise with third party contractors with the aim of extinguishing all non-essential lights on their own sites,” he added.
Seb Vance, Media PR Manager for Dubai Racing Club, said Nad Al Sheba would not be participating in Earth Hour.
“Dubai Racing Club won’t even be switching off non-essential lights as we cannot afford to jeopardize the safety of 55,000 racegoers. They are our first priority along with the horsemen competing in the event.”
