EARTH HOUR 2011 United Arab Emirates - 1 - Table of Contents 1. History of Earth Hour ..................................................................................3 2. Earth Hour 2011 ...........................................................................................4 3. Earth Hour Statistic......................................................................................8 4. Special Thanks............................................................................................11 5. Photo Selection.............................................................................................16 - 2 - 1. History of Earth Hour Earth Hour is a global movement encouraging individuals, businesses and governments around the world to take positive actions for the environment, and celebrating their commitment to the planet by switching off their lights for one designated hour. Earth Hour shows how individuals, communities, businesses and governments can address the threat of global warming if we resolve to work on it together. Earth Hour unites communities, ushering in a new era of environmental consciousness by encouraging personal accountability and behavioural change to facilitate a low-carbon lifestyle. The inaugural Earth Hour took place in Sydney on 31 March 2007, when over two million people and two thousand businesses across the city turned off their lights and appliances for one hour. From its relative humble beginnings, the Earth Hour message has swept the planet. In 2008, 50 million people across 35 countries turned off their lights in support of Earth Hour, sending a message across the globe that the collective actions of individuals really can change the world. In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative. In 2010, a record 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action and participated in Earth Hour. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas switched off. People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet. - 3 - 2. Earth Hour 2011 This year, Earth Hour was record breaking in many ways – with 135 countries and territories taking part; more iconic landmarks, cities, governments and people around the world than ever participated and celebrated Earth Hour on Saturday 26 th March from 8.30 to 9.30 PM. This year, we asked people, organizations and governments to go beyond the hour, and use Earth Hour to commit to an action, big or small, that they will sustain for the future of our planet. - 4 - Selection of pledges from around the world Pakistan's cricket legend, Wasim Akram - has made a personal commitment to stop using plastic bags, to recycle and reuse, and to use his high profile to promote and encourage the same behaviour throughout Pakistan and the rest of the world Pocoyo, an animated cartoon celebrity, has committed to reaching out to its millions of preschool-aged fans across the world over the next year, fostering learning through laughter and making use of humor and learning to inform children about environmental issues. The Nepalese government has committed to putting a complete stop to tree felling in a vital ecological and sociological area spanning more than 23,000 square km. Nathi Mzileni, a 15-year-old boy from Swaziland in Africa has managed to make his town Shimunye part of Earth Hour this year. The mayor of Sidney has committed to building more cycleways, installing LED lights in parks and streets and endorsing a tri- generation plant to provide low carbon energy. Chloe Nicol, a 7-year-old girl from Australia, is guiding her school to increase recycling and reduce energy waste. The school now shuts their blinds instead of using air conditioning to cool the rooms. Chinese dairy company Mengniu is doubling the number of milk cartons it recycles and increasing its use of environmental packaging. Selection from thousands of pledges on www.beyond thehour.org - 5 - Earth Hour public events across the UAE Abu Dhabi The Municipality of Abu Dhabi City with the support of sponsors and partners hosted Earth Hour on the Cornice. The programme included a lantern walk lead by Abu Dhabi Eco Chicks, drumming sessions by Dubai Drums, candle lights in the sand and talks by inspirational speakers. At the event, organizations had set up booths, including EWS-WWF that were giving away energy efficient light bulbs. At Fairmont Bab al Bahr staff, including the general manager and guests cycled for 24 hours to generate clean, renewable energy using two stationary bicycles which were linked to a dynamo. In Khalifa Park, yoga enthusiastic met to celebrate the planet and enjoyed several yoga poses in the glow of candles. - 6 - Dubai Dubai Festival City hosted a school art exhibition and competition themed ‘Beyond Earth Hour’ at the Festival Square from March 24-26 th . Around 75 artworks were exhibited from both public and private schools across the UAE. The first prize winner from both the school categories were awarded a laptop each by HP. Dubai Festival City sponsored gift vouchers for the 2 nd and 3 rd prize winners. Street plays based on ‘Beyond Earth Hour’ theme attracted huge crowds in the Festival Square. A interpretative dance performance by a school was the star attraction. A workshop titled Óld to New’ where children learnt how to make interesting articles from used newspaper also got a fantastic response. During Earth Hour, candle lights placed in the shape of 60 and floating lanterns were lit to celebrate that hour when the whole world was united in celebrations for our planet. A good crowd soaked in all the activities and entertainment, which included fire dancers, by the picturesque Festival City Marina. DEWA invited Dubai residents and visitors to witness Burj Khalifa turn off its lights. The theme of the event organized at the Burj Plaza was a traditional Arabic heritage village with arts and crafts and yummy traditional cooking stations. During Earth Hour there was a march as a symbol of solidarity with the global society to save the planet from the carbon dioxide emission that causes climate change DEWA also arranged a press conference to announce their cooperation with EWS-WWF, Emaar, local schools, universities, fellow government entities and people from across Dubai for Earth Hour. HE Saeed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA spoke on the press conference and encouraged everyone to participate in Earth Hour Sharjah In Sharjah, all non-essential lights were switched off at the most popular entertainment destination, Qanat Al Qasba and Etisalat Eye during Earth Hour. An array of educational fun activities was hosted at Sharjah Aquarium and in the Maritime Museum outdoor area between 5 to 9.30pm. In anticipation of Earth Hour, the Sharjah’s official environmental establishment Bee’ah called upon residents to recycle household waste on a regular basis which will help conserve energy long after Earth Hour is over for this year. Fujairah Fujairah Municipality invited residents to celebrate the planet at Fujairah Fort where populare Arabic singer Kamal Musalam entertained the crowd with modern Arabic Music. The fort switched off all lights and flying candle lanterns were released into the sky. - 7 - 3) Earth Hour Statistic Every year, we are being asked how many participated in Earth Hour. While we do not have a number, we can provide some indicators of the participation and the reach of the campaign. Globally : • 135 countries and territories officially joined Earth Hour 2011. • Over 5000 cities, towns and municipalities officially signed up for Earth Hour 2011 • 1638 icons and landmarks worldwide switched off for Earth Hour, including Eiffel Tower in Paris, India Gate in New Delhi, Time Square in New York, Milad Tower in Tehran, Davis Station in Antarctica, the Opera House in Sydney, Royal Palace in Thailand and Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates. • Support from world leaders and celebrities including Australian model Miranda Kerr, the Most Reverend Archbishop Desmond Tutu, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, actress Cate Blanchett, Brazilian supermodel Giselle Bundchen, singer Tom Jones, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Chinese Actress Li Bingbing, Pakistan’s cricket legend Wasim Akram, actor Edward Norton, DJ Ferry Corsten, and international footballer Franceso Totti. • Earth Hour advert on Facebook had 25 million impressions • 68 million digital interactions through Earth Hour applications • It is estimated that Earth Hour 2011 reached 2 billion people throughout the world In the UAE The UAE has one of the world’s highest per capita ecological footprint; so we play an absolutely vital role in addressing what is unequivocally the greatest threat to the planet today. Our UAE supporters and partners for Earth Hour 2011 demonstrated the change that must occur to help mitigate the threat of climate change. Many were taking the opportunity of Earth Hour to raise awareness on climate change by encouraging their staff, management, clients and partners to start taking action to reduce their ecological footprint • Participation from all 7 emirates • Earth Hour in Dubai was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman