Earth Hour, a global event created to symbolize that each one of us, working together, can make a difference on climate change, will take place on Saturday March 27th at 8.30 PM.

The world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa and the resting place of the UAE’s founding father, the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque will join other iconic UAE landmarks including, the Emirates Palace, Raffles Hotel, ADIA Building, Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Aldar Head Quarters, Sharjah Mega Mall, Sharjah Science Museum, Fairmont, Tecom, Media One Hotel, Dubai World Trade centre, the Yas Hotel and Yas Marina Circuit, Sas Radisson Hotel Blue and more for Earth Hour and ‘flick the switch’ on their signature landmarks, marking their dedication to sustainable development and joining their citizens in adopting low-carbon practices switching off the lights in a decisive display of climate action.

“The actions shown by business and community leaders are crucial to leading a low-carbon resolution to climate change, says EWS-WWF Managing Director, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak.”

“The UAE has one of the highest ecological footprints per capita, so our role in addressing what is unequivocally the greatest threat to the planet today is absolutely vital,” Al Mubarak said.”

As Earth Hour has grown from a one-city initiative in 2007 to a global phenomenon in 2009, renowned icons, including the Great Pyramids, Eiffel Tower, the Coliseum, Christ the Redeemer statue, Buckingham Palace and many more have joined the global community in showing leadership on a resolution to climate change.

In the UAE, the participation from the government and private sector has exceeded last years with over 150 organisations signed up, and EWS-WWF is expecting thousands of residents to participate either at home, at one of the Earth hour events or simply by turning off all electricity before going out to the horse race, the music festival or to attend a candle light dinner at a restaurant.

Mr Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director – UAE, Emaar Properties said: “Emaar is proud to support Earth Hour and is committed to partnering in initiatives that promote environmental awareness.

As a pioneer of integrated lifestyle communities, Emaar has been at the forefront in creating sustainable communities through a focus on the efficient use of resources. We believe that meaningful change can be brought about through community action, and we are taking the lead by participating in Earth Hour.”

The Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar will be participating in Earth Hour and is helping to promote the initiative. Dr. Naal Al Hosany, Director, Sustainability, Masdar said: “Earth Hour is about responsibility, about the duty that all of us – as individuals, as families, as companies and organizations and as nations – have to protect our environment and to take action against climate change. Switching off the lights for one hour reinforces that message and shows how simple actions can go a long way toward making a difference; its very encouraging that more and more individuals and entities from the UAE participate in Earth Hour each year.”

“Earth Hour is not just about one night, it is about highlighting the possibilities for change and encouraging long term actions that will reduce the carbon footprints of individuals, groups, companies, governments, and nations, on both the date of Earth Hour and on a continuing permanent basis” explains Al Mubarak

With the confirmed participation of citizens from 118 countries and regions, Earth Hour is anticipated to be the greatest civil action the world has ever witnessed, a global team hundreds of millions strong that will show the world what can be done.

For more information about Earth Hour 2010, please contact: Ida Tillisch, Director of Marketing and Business Development
E: itillisch@ewswwf.ae

About Earth Hour
Earth Hour is a global WWF climate change initiative. Individuals, businesses, governments and communities are invited to turn out their lights for one hour on Saturday March 27, 2010 at 8:30 PM to show their support for action on climate change. The event began in Sydney in 2007, when 2 million people switched off their lights. In 2008, more than 50 million people around the globe participated. In 2009, participation swelled to hundreds of millions as 4159 cities, towns and municipalities in 88 countries and many of the world’s best known landmarks participated.
 

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