Monday, Mar 28, 2011
Gulf News
Dubai Dubai residents and businesses achieved the highest energy savings and lowest carbon dioxide emissions to date during the 60-minute Earth Hour blackout on Saturday night.
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) announced that in one hour Dubai beat its own Earth Hour record and saved 170,000 kilowatt hours (kW/h) of electricity and reduced carbon emissions by 102,000kg.
Earth Hour 2011 in the UAE was the biggest voluntary show of commitment towards finding solutions for climate change.
The amount saved across the UAE has not yet been revealed.
In 2008, Dubai’s participation in Earth Hour saved 100,000kW/h and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 60,000 kilograms.
In 2009 Dubai saved 146,000kW/h and 88,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions.
The Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) said it saved 45,000 kilowatts of power and cut carbon emissions by 27,200 kilograms during the event.
Mark of solidarity
Across the world, every March 26, iconic landmarks turn off their lights and unnecessary electrical appliances between 8.30pm and 9.30pm in a mark of solidarity and call for action against global warming.
The largest group of people gathered at Burj Plaza and walked with candle-lit lanterns to the foot of Burj Khalifa that had also dimmed its lights.
“For the fourth consecutive year Dubai is insisting on raising the awareness and showing its interest in preserving resources and the environment,” said Saeed Al Tayer, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dewa.
“At this point all parties are competing to achieve the aim of the Earth Hour, not just by saving during the Earth Hour event, but by continuing saving hours through the whole year.”
The Emirates Wildlife Society-WWF launched a project to support people that pledged to go ‘Beyond the Hour’ by adopting less wasteful habits at home, work or school.
“I am sure that many people will continue the passion and spirit of conservation which they showed during the event by going beyond the Earth Hour and making a pledge, large or small, to preserve natural resources in their daily lives,” said Amal Koshak, senior manager of Demand and Tariff Management at Dewa.
Among the participants in Abu Dhabi was the Emirates Palace Hotel which turned off most lights for the hour.
By Emmanuelle Landais Senior Reporter
Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
