Country set to join millions across the globe in the largest environmental event in history

UAE, Tuesday 27th March 2012: On Saturday 31 March at 8:30pm, the UAE will be plunged into darkness in support of the world's largest environmental event in history - Earth Hour. Landmarks will go dark across all 7 emirates to mark the event, and public initiatives are planned to unite people behind a commitment to make a change for the future of our planet. 

World-renowned buildings such as the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi and Al Qasbah in Sharjah will be added to a long list of prestigious landmarks that will go dark as a symbolic gesture to remind people of the importance of conserving our natural resources, such as energy.  

JOIN THE EARTH HOUR MOVEMENT

Emirates Wildlife Society - WWF is calling on individuals, governments, schools and companies across the UAE to take part in Earth Hour 2012. Residents can celebrate at home with friends and family or join one of the following public events:

Abu Dhabi

The Municipality of Abu Dhabi is leading and coordinating an event at the Abu Dhabi Corniche which will include recycling stations and fun activities where Abu Dhabi residents can drum their support for Earth Hour in an event organized by ADMAF as part of Abu Dhabi Music Festival, and join the celebrations on Abu Dhabi Corniche.

The event starts from 6pm.

Dubai

Dubai residents are invited to join a candlelight march in Burj Park Downtown and participate in array of environmental activities. The public event organized by DEWA, and held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoom, the Crown Prince of Dubai, will also bear witness to the tallest building in the world; Burj Khalifa, switching off its lights for one hour to commemorate Earth Hour.

The event starts from 5pm. The candlelight march will start at 8:30pm.

Sharjah

In Sharjah, a family event is planned in Al Majaz Park by the Environment and Protected Areas of Sharjah. Residents can participate in a host of activities including environmental competitions and a musical performance.The event starts from 6pm.

Ras Al Khaimah

In partnership with Al Manar Mall, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority is inviting the emirate's residents to join a public gathering with an acoustic performance by Fusion Again music band.

The performance will start at 8:30pm.

Fujairah

A low key event will take place in front of Fujairah Municipality, with candles and floating lanterns to mark Earth Hour.

The event will start at 8:30 pm.

There are a number of other public events happening throughout the emirates: please check within your local community or on the EWS-WWF website: www.ewswwf.ae/earthhour

Ida Tillisch, Acting Director General at EWS-WWF stated, "Earth Hour is not about turning off your lights for one hour, but is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on how our everyday actions impact our environment. It is a platform for the world to unite for a cause that means something to us all. We encourage all residents to participate in this global initiative to demonstrate that by uniting our actions, we can make a difference and a positive change for our planet."

The Director of Community Services Dr. Badriya Al Dhahri at Municipality of Abu Dhabi City said: "The Municipality's participation in this annual global event is intended to express our commitment to safeguarding the environment, coping with climatic changes, saving power consumption at a local level, and reducing gas emissions to protect from global warming; the biggest challenge facing the planet in the context of genuine endeavours to provide a better means of living on earth."

On Dubai's participation, Senior Manager, Marketing Communication at DEWA, Amal Koshak, said: "Earth Hour is a great and inspiring initiative for a better environment. It is a starting point for people to continue the passion and spirit of conservation and make a pledge, large or small, to preserve natural resources in their daily lives. This year, we hope to show the world Dubai's pledge towards a greener future, and we look forward to seeing the city enshrouded with darkness during Earth Hour - for our planet's brighter tomorrow. "

DARE TO SAVE OUR PLANET

This year Earth Hour is calling upon the global community to further the quest for sustainable living by encouraging individuals to take to social video platform YouTube, and participate in the campaign's 'I will if you will' challenge. 'I will if you will' empowers the community to do more by challenging others to do an action of environmental significance in return for a similar action of equal value by the challenger.

Set to bring the sustainability issue to the daily talk and thought, 'I will if you will' empowers individuals to share a personal dare with the world and ask "What are you willing to do to save the planet?"

In the UAE, this saw the participation of key characters and Earth Hour Ambassadors, such as His Highness Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Nuaimi, known as the Green Sheikh, Ali Al Saloom, founder of AskAli.com, and Kris Fade, from Virgin Radio.

Visit EWs-WWF's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ews.wwf  or YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/wwfuae to view and accept their challenges, and post your own challenge.

To join Earth Hour and learn more about other events, please visit: www.ewswwf.ae/earthhour

-Ends-

About Earth Hour
Earth Hour is a global initiative in partnership with WWF. Individuals, businesses, governments and communities are invited to turn out their lights for one hour on Saturday March 31, 2012 at 8:30 PM to show their support for environmentally sustainable action. The event began in Sydney in 2007, when 2 million people switched off their lights. By 2011, Earth Hour was being reported as 'the World's largest campaign for the planet' with participation in 135 countries and territories across every continent, including the world's most recognized man-made marvels and natural wonders in a landmark display of environmental action.

The event is an opportunity for every single person around the world to unite in taking a stand against climate change and support the will of the public behind tackling the issue.

Earth Hour UAE 2012 partners:

  • UAE Ministry of Environment & Water

  • DEWA

  • Fujairah Municipality

  • Environment and Protected Areas Authority

  • Adu Dhabi City Municipality

  • Ras Al Khaimah Municipalty

  • Umm Al Quwain Municipality

  • Ajman Municipality

  • Mindshare

  • HSBC

  • Omnicommedia Group

  • Hill & Knowlton



About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

About Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF)
Emirates Wildlife Society is a national (UAE) environmental non-profit organization established under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan: Ruler's Representative in the western region and Chairman of Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD). EWS works in association with WWF, one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations.  EWS-WWF has been active in the UAE since 2001 and has initiated and implemented several conservation and education projects in the region. The mission of EWS-WWF is to work with people and institutions within the UAE and the region, to conserve biodiversity, tackle climate change and reduce the ecological footprint through education, awareness, policy, and science-based conservation initiatives. Ffor more information, visit: www.ewswwf.ae

MEDIA CONTACT DETAILS
Please direct all media enquiries to:
Louisa Norman, Hill & Knowlton, E: Louisa.Norman@hkstrategies.com , T: +971 04 334 4930
Faten Abdulla, Hill & Knowlton, E: Faten.Abdulla@hlstrategies.com, T: +971 04 334 4930

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi Municipality:
Noor Mohammad Shamma, Lead Branding Specialist.  Tel: 02-417-3708

Dubai - DEWA
Amal Koshak, Snr Manager- Communications and Marketing. Tel: 04-506-6313

Sharjah- Environment and Protected Area Authority

Maryam Al Housani, Sharjah Earth Hour Coordinator. Tel: 06-531-1999

RAS AL KHAIMAH- Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority

Ms Nermin Abushnaf, PR & Marketing Manager. Tel: 07-233-8998

© Press Release 2012