Dubai, June 5th, 2007 (WAM) - As part of its ongoing commitment in participatingin major global activities aimed at raising the environmental awareness,the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) announced today thatit had joined the international efforts on the occasion of World EnvironmentDay held on the 5th of June each year.

The World Environment Day slogan selected for 2007 is 'Melting Ice - aHot Topic?' in support of the International Polar Year, the World EnvironmentDay theme selected for 2007 focuses on the effects that climate changeis having on polar ecosystems and communities, and the ensuing consequencesaround the world.

This year DEWA is promoting the Green Ribbon Pledge, a new global initiativeto conserve energy for a secure future. By encouraging energy efficiency,the campaign seeks to raise awareness about the need to end our dangerousdependence on fossil fuel consumption and work toward a sustainable future.

All DEWA staff will be wearing a green ribbon to express their supportto the environment.

"We felt compelled to participate in this constructive and important annualevent, and to contribute, not only on this day, but throughout the year,in the global efforts carried out to educate societies on the currentenvironmental status", said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Directorand CEO of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority. "International studiesand statistics have revealed that the temperature of the Earth was atits highest in 2005, and this figure is expected to increase in the nearfuture. Therefore we must combine local, regional and international efforts,and take serious steps to control this worrying phenomenon".

During World Environment Day, DEWA will educate UAE nationals and residentson the environmental threats, and will provide them with a list of simpleprocedures any individual can take that would cut down on energy consumption,which is one of the main reasons for global warming. DEWA has also invitedits staff to watch the 2006 Academy Award-winning documentary 'An InconvenientTruth' as the movie focuses mainly on the issue of global warming andthe severe consequences that may follow. The authority also distributedthe movie to several other governmental organizations to spread the messageacross.

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority also combined forces with severalother entities to distribute educational flyers amongst nationals andresidents in Dubai, containing important but simple tips for individualsto reduce energy consumption and emissions. DEWA teamed up with EPCO andENOC stations to distribute the flyers and brochures at 70 of its outlets,in addition to the Union CO-OP grocery stores to distribute educationalinformation at 7 of its outlets in Dubai.

"More than 51,000 people have joined the Green Ribbon Campaign so far.

Today we proudly wear the green ribbon to express our support to suchglobal initiatives and apply them on a local scale", said Amal Koshak,Deputy Manager, Demand Manage at the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.

"We have taken upon us the duty of educating our societies on the importanceof conserving our resources and exerting our utmost efforts in instillingthe culture of conservation. Therefore, we call on all citizens to joinus in our efforts and conserve your water and electricity for a betterfuture", added Koshak.

World Environment Day is World Environment Day is the United Nations flagshipenvironmental event, celebrated every year on 5 June in more than 100countries around the world. It was established in 1972 by the United NationsGeneral Assembly and its commemoration is entrusted to the United NationsEnvironment Programme (UNEP).

The purpose of World Environment Day is to focus worldwide attention onthe importance of the environment and stimulate political attention andaction. The event seeks to give a human face to environmental issues,empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development,promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudestowards environmental issues, and advocate partnership, which will ensurethat all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

Interest in World Environment Day is growing each year, as evidenced bythe number of countries, which lend their support to this important UnitedNations Day, by the expanding list of municipalities, businesses, andcommunities that participate, and by the hundreds of thousands of individualswho visit UNEP's World Environment Day web site.