Millions Join In 10 Day Global Countdown To Earth Hour
EWS-WWF call upon UAE residents to join the world’s largest environmental movement
Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF calls on the UAE community and organisaitons to join hundreds of millions of people across the globe in switching off all lights in landmarks, business premises and homes for one hour – Earth Hour. This hour of darkness is a symbol of environmental action and is taking place at 8:30 pm local time on Saturday 23rd of March, 2013.
Encouraging UAE residents to make Earth Hour 2013 bigger and better than before, Ida Tillisch, Acting Director General of Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF commented: “Last year UAE Earth Hour was a big success, and this would not have been possible without the hard work of our partners and individual supporters who helped organise events across the country, spreading the conservation message and committing to long term change.”
“We hope that businesses, organisations, communities and individuals will not only join us by switching off for one hour but will also take this opportunity and commit to long term environmental action. Earth Hour demonstrates that it is possible for everyone, from every corner of the world to come together in the name of environmental change.Turning off the lights is just the beginning, millions of people want to take action and see a sustainable future for our planet.”
Organizations and individuals are encouraged to sign up for Earth Hour and announce their environmental commitment to inspire others including their family, friends, employees, clients and partners.
Tips and tools for the UAE can be found on the Earth Hour website along with the latest updates on this year’s events across the emirates (www.ewswwf.ae/earthhour).
People are also invited to participate in the “I Will IF You Will” on its second year, to encourage and inspire individuals to share their commitment to the planet. For her 2013 I Will If You Will challenge, Tillisch promises to cook a sustainable seafood lunch for 50 people that are randomly selected from the signups for Earth Hour, if 500 UAE residents were to accept her challenge: “I Will If You Will is a great platform to inspire the change that you want to see in the world. In addition to facilitating action among the community”
Since its beginning as a one city initiative in Sydney 7 years ago, WWF’s Earth Hour has grown to be one of the largest environmental movements in the world, seeing the participation of over 6950 cities in 153 countries across all continents in 2012.
In UAE in 2012, saw the official participation of 22 towns and cities from across all seven emirates. Thousands of residents had the opportunity to join public and community events that swept the different emirates, while many of the UAE’s buildings also switched off all non-essential lights. It is estimated that Earth Hour reached over 3 million UAE residents.
Earth Hour 2013 is currently expecting world-renowned buildings such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi and Al Qasbah in Sharjah will be added to a long list of prestigious global landmarks that will go dark as a symbolic gesture to remind people of the importance of conserving energy. Public events will be taking place in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, and many community events are being planned by different organisations and groups to celebrate this global event.
JOIN THE EARTH HOUR MOVEMENT
EWS-WWF is calling on individuals, governments, schools and companies across the UAE to take part in Earth Hour 2013. To make sure that Earth Hour 2013 in the UAE is memorable and impactful; residents can celebrate at home with friends and family or join one of the many public events taking place across all 7 emirates.
Emirate: Dubai
Date: Mar 13, 2013
Back