Earth Hour returns on March 29 at 8.30pm

Global environmental movement calls on UAE residents to Get Enlightened and Make the Switch to energy efficient lighting.

UAE, 16 March 2014: Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF is calling on UAE residents and organisations to unite in positive action for our planet this Earth Hour. Alongside the traditional call to turn off the lights for one hour at 8.30pm on March 29, UAE residents are being urged to join this global environmental movement by switching to energy efficient lighting.

Ida Tillisch, Director General of EWS-WWF said: “By getting enlightened on the topic and making the switch to energy efficient lighting it has been conservatively calculated by the Ecological Footprint Initiative, that the UAE can collectively reduce its carbon emissions by 940,000 tonnes. This is the equivalent of removing 165,000 cars from the roads every single year.

“These figures speak for themselves. That is why we are asking every company and organisation, every community and every individual in the country to make the switch to energy efficient lighting so that together we can make a positive contribution for our planet.”

Alongside the environmental benefits, it has been estimated that by making the switch, the UAE can save AED668 million per year; with an average villa in Dubai saving up to AED2315 annually on electricity bills. There are many bulbs now available in the UAE marketplace in a range of colour temperatures to suit the ambiance of your home and workplace.

Earth Hour is the world’s largest grass-roots environmental movement towards action on climate change. 2013 saw all major cities from the emirates plunge into darkness to join more than 150 countries around the world making it the largest ever participation during the history of Earth Hour.

Encouraging UAE residents to make Earth Hour 2014 bigger and better than before, Ida Tillisch continued: “Get involved! There are a number of confirmed Earth Hour events happening around the emirates and landmark switch offs too, so now is the opportunity to make that hour count and make a commitment beyond the hour by switching off and switching to energy efficient lighting.”

HOW TO JOIN EARTH HOUR 2014

From today:
1. Get Enlightened about energy efficient lighting with EWS-WWF’s card kit to explain more about how and why to make the switch: http://awsassets.panda.org/downloads/eh_cardkit_eng_aw.pdf
2. Make the switch to energy efficient lighting!
3. Register individual or organisation participation in Earth Hour 2014 on the EWS-WWF website www.uae.panda.org/earthhour
4. Send in details of any public Earth Hour events. Events will be listed on the EWS-WWF website where tips and tools on how to Earth Hour can also be found: www.uae.panda.org/earthhour

On the day (March 29):
1. Switch off lights at 8.30pm