© Ahmed Sameer © Ahmed Sameer
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© Ahmed Sameer © Ahmed Sameer Every year, Earth Hour calls on people around the world to demonstrate their commitment and willingness to take action for the planet by switching off all non-essential lights for one hour. It also calls on everyone to go beyond the hour, and make Earth Hour more than just an hour by adopting long term environmental change. This year, Earth Hour’s impact was once again record-breaking worldwide. Reaching over hundreds of millions in 150 countries and 7000 cities, with new countries including Palestine and Philippines. Key landmarks around the world switched off their lights to observe the hour, including Sydney Opera House, Burj Khalifa, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Great Wall of China, and the red square and Kremlin in Russia. The campaign garnered the support from key organizations and high profile individuals that called for everyone to unite for the planet. As darkness swept the planet on the night of 23rd of March 2013, former South African president Nelson Mandela took to Twitter to show his support for the cause. “The trees & forests were destroyed exactly because our people were so dependent upon them as sources of energy. Each time one of us touches the soil of this land, we feel a sense of personal renewal” The innovative “I Will If You Will” (IWIYW) platform continued to garner support this year, to empower everyone to be an inspiration for others, and motivate them to make positive changes in their life for the planet. I Wil lf You Will is an evolving platform that empowers people to participate and to inspire others. This happens by encouraging individuals commit to an environmental action in exchange for a dare. Everyone and anyone can post a challenge on the campaign’s online platform, and invite others to accept their challenge by answering the question: 'What are you willing to do to save the planet?' Several celebrities participated, such as Jessica Alba, Ian Somerhalder, and Loveless – challenging the world to do something to help the environment in exchange for a dare. Global Challenges: . Former President of Botswana, Mr Festus Mogae has promised to plant one million indigenous trees over four years as part of his I Will If You Will challenge, kicking it off by planting 100,000 trees in a severely degraded area in Southern part of the country called Goodhope. The world's first Earth Hour forest in the East African nation of Uganda has begun the fight against the 6000 hectares of deforestation that occurs in the country every month. The Earth Hour team in Uganda has secured more than 2700 hectares of degraded land aiming to plant 500,000 trees in 2013. All 7 Emirates Participated • In the UAE, all seven emirates and 23 cities participated and ran over 20 community events, and a total of more than 250 organisations, 110 schools, and 7000 people signed up for Earth Hour, with the message reaching more than 4 million people in the UAE. • Many of the UAE’s landmark buildings also switched off all non essential lights, heading the list were several prominent landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Aldar HQ, Emirates Palace, Etihad Towers and the Burj Al Arab. The Prime Minsiter and Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum tweeted his support on Earth Hour, saying: “Sustaining our Earth remains a fundamental principle in our policies. Next generations have the right to inhert a clean & safe environment” . High profile individuals such as His Highness Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi (The “Green Sheikh”), Noura Al Kaabi (CEO of TwoFour54), Ramiz Al Aileh (manager of Powerwise at the Regulation and Supervision Bureau) showed their support as Earth Hour ambassadors . Earth Hour song: UAE-based hip-hop artist Feras Ibrahim, who wrote a song in support of Earth Hour entitled “That’s Reality”. An example of this inspiring initiative in the UAE is Abdul Mukeet (also known as the “Paperbag Boy”), an 11 year old who pledged to eat a vegetarian diet for a month if a 100 reduce their usage of plastic bags EWS-WWF’s own Acting Director General, Ida Tillisch, presented her own challenge, calling on the UAE’s public to sign up for Earth Hour, and promising to cook a lunch for 50 people using sustainable fish and ingredients. Read more on inspiring challenges from individuals and organisations on our website, www.ewswwf.ae Key events: Abu Dhabi DRUMMING AT ABU DHABI CORNICHE In an event hosted by many organisations, a candle-lit walk took place, accompanied by drumming sessions led by Dubai Drums as part of ADMAF’s Abu Dhabi Music Festival. The buildings of the Abu Dhabi Corniche were switched off along with other key landmarks across the emirate of Abu Dhabi. YOGA AT ABU DHABI CORNICHE FORMAL PARK © Moath Noor Free yoga lesson followed by a guided mediation was organised by The Art of Living - Abu Dhabi 60 AND BEYOND PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION Calling on all photography lovers, the 2nd Abu Dhabi Earth Hour photography competition invited all photographers to submit their Earth Hour photos for the competition. CANDLELIGHT BY ZEINA COMMUNITY BEACH Aldar invited all to participate in their Earth Hour event which included a video show, lights switch off, with candles and setting on the beach. © EWS-WWF ORGANIC DINING AT THE WESTN HOTEL Organic drinks and organic food (prepared with locally grown, sustainable produce) was served for © EWS-WWF the night of the event, in a candle-lit atmosphere and beautiful acoustic music from the resident pianist. Key events: Dubai EARTH HOUR WALK AT BURJ BOULEVARD The boulevard buzzed with people and families that joined an Earth Hour walk during the hour. With Burj Khalifa switching off for the hour, thousands of participants took stands to be part of the global movement by joining Dubai celebrations with competitions, prizes, game shows, and a drum show. CELEBRATIONS AT SAFA PARK Emirates Diving Association, in collaboration with The Archive at Safa Park (gate 5) celebrated the hour with a social event involving lots to do for the whole family, where they would pick up Connect Cards filled with © EWS-WWF interesting facts and questions and use them as a conversation starter, as well as having video booths, and a drumming session. GLOW-IN-THE-DARK PING PONG Jumeira Rotana Hotel hosted a Table Tennis Earth Hour Tournament using a glow-in-the-dark ball. © EWS-WWF Key events: Dubai PAINTING FOR MOTHER EARTH This was a special Earth Hour event at the Radisson Blu Residence in Dubai Marina, for children (ages 5-12) to paint their ideas to save Mother Earth. 3 prizes were given out to children. ART FROM SCRAP Dubai Silicon Oasis is hosted the "ART FROM SCRAP" competition, where people were invited to make © EWS-WWF artwork out of recycled materials ahead of time, that would be displayed during the event, with prizes to be won! LE MERIDIEN GOING DARK The hotel turned off its lights in observance of Earth Hour. Also, the Natural Elements Spa & Fitness conducted an hour of yoga & aerobics followed by a night spa offering in a candle-lit outdoor venue © EWS-WWF Key events: Sharjah AL MAJAZ WATERFRONT The Environment and Protected Areas Authority hosted an Hour event in Al Majaz Waterfront. Awareness workshops for families and kids, along with an environmental awareness exhibition organized by participating authorities, as well as an electricity conservation mural and a car that runs on natural gas was part of the many activities held during the hour. © Fujairah Municipality Key events: Fujairah Candle-lit event took place on Fujairah Corniche, along with lanterns lit up the night sky during the hour. Fujairah Municipality sent about 400 SMS’s to the public, as well as created a large momentum on twitter around Earth Hour. Not to mention having key landmarks in the city, along with all police stations switch off during Earth Hour. © Fujairah Municipality Facebook Highlights . 2 million reach on Facebook . Over 200,000+ clicks recorded (FB ads) . Over 7000 RSVP’ed to our Earth hour event page Twitter Highlights . 2 million reach on Twitter . #earthhour was trending on Twitter • Notable mentions were made on Earth Hour by H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and H.H Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Nuiami A word cloud shows us the most commonly used words along with “Earth Hour” © Ahmed Sameer Featured Earth Hour Articles in: Photo Captions in: - Dunia Al Ittihad -Hello! Middle East - Read Magazine -My News Magazine (ADMAF) - Al Ittihad Broadcast: - Al Bayan - Dubai Eye - Gulf News - Gulf News Radio - Khaleej Times - Studio One - The National - MBC - Sky News - 7 Days - Abu Dhabi TV - Abu Dhabi Weekly - Dubai TV - Bgreen Magazine - The Young Vision Magazine Total Ad Value of the Month (AED): 3,062,403 English: 2,531,893 Arabic: 530,510 Total Online English:453,245 ©Viktoriya Vinnikava Arabic: 163,882 ABU DHABI SHARJAH • Aldar Headquarters Al Qasba - Eye of the Emirates • Etihad Towers FUJAIRAH • Sheikh Zayed Bridge Fujairah Fort • Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Fujairah Municipality • Twofour54 Headquarters UMM AL QUWAIN DUBAI Umm Al Quwain Municipality • Burj Al Arab RAS AL KHAIMA • Burj Khalifa RAK Chamber of Commerce • Fairmont Dubai RAK Municipality • Hilton Dubai Creek • Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort AJMAN Ajman Municipality • Jumeirah Beach Hotel • Jumeirah Emirates Towers • Madinat Jumeirah • Meydan Hotel • Raffles Dubai • Zabeel Saray Abu Dhabi Distribution Company Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Cafe Arabia Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations Canon Middle East CB&I Abu Dhabi