Lights out in the United Arab Emirates for “Earth Hour”

An hour dedicated to saving the planet 

This year, the Earth Hour, a now ritual planetary operation of lights out, intended to mobilize against climate change and for the safeguard of nature, will celebrate its 15th edition! 

To make this event a success, environmentalists in the United Arab Emirates encourage the Emirati population to participate by turning off all their lights and electronic devices for one hour starting at 8:30 pm. 

“This event helps raise awareness and reduce carbon emissions in the country as the world continues to face the dire consequences of climate change” said Emirates Nature-WWF, a non-governmental organization that supports the global environmental campaign in the UAE.

UAE residents can even register online to show their commitment to the event. 

 

One goal: reduce CO2 emissions

“Every year, the movement grows in the UAE” said Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, executive director of Emirates Nature-WWF. 

Already last year, more than three million people and 700 organizations from the UAE participated. In Dubai, it saved 178 megawatts of electricity and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 74 tons. 

Launched in 2007, the movement is supported by more than 190 countries, where homes, hotels, monuments and government buildings turn off their lights for one hour.

A positive impact at the heart of the UAE’s climate policy

The UAE is not immune to the effects of climate change. Regular sandstorms are a concern because they carry dust that could potentially be made up of harmful bacteria. Lack of rain and high temperatures are other concerns for the government.

“The UAE’s harsh desert environment makes the country particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate change” says climate change expert Qais Al Suwaidi. “To build the country’s climate resilience, we have launched the National Climate Change Adaptation Program and all stakeholders are working together to implement globally relevant action plans.”

The ministry also launched the National Climate Change Plan 2017-2050. The goal is to create a green economy resilient to climate change and improve quality of life.

The three priorities of the plan are: managing national greenhouse gas emissions, planning and implementing climate change adaptation, and a private sector-driven economic diversification program.

Despite the many climate challenges that remain for the country, the government is determined to put these issues at the heart of its policy.