Earth Hour is an event that was first organized back in 2007 and since then it has managed to grow to a worldwide movement. This year, the light-off hour will be observed on March 28 (Saturday), from 8.30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Unites Arab Emirates will again join the initiative. However, this year, the country will go beyond switching off the lights.
The UAE will mark Earth Hour 2015 under the theme “Use Your Power to Change Climate Change.” In previous years, the country’s residents were encouraged to turn off the lights, as well as all non-essential appliances for 60 minutes, which is the common practice during Earth Hour. This year the United Arab Emirates will take things a further by stimulating people to reduce their water consumption during the world’s most eco-friendly hour.
Water scarcity is a major problem in the Middle East. That is also the case in the UAE. Although the country is famous with its extravagant buildings and massive shopping malls, its water supply is very limited. Nevertheless, the United Arab Emirates continues to have one of the highest per capita consumption of water in the world. Therefore, Earth Hour gives the county and the region as well the perfect opportunity to spread awareness about the issue and to encourage new consumption habits.
However, high water consumption is not the only issue in the UAE and the Middle East as a whole. The way drinking water is produced in the region is also problematic. Water in most Middle Eastern countries goes through a process of desalination, which is linked to the production of a massive amount of carbon emissions.
Dubai will also join this year Earth Hour initiative. The event will be organized at Bay Avenue Park on March 28 and it will start from 5 p.m. Between 8.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. the city will also organize an Earth Hour Walk by switching off non-essential lights and appliances.
