Dubai turns off lightsBy Preeti Kannan and Zoe Sinclair (Our staff reporters)30 March 2008
DUBAI — Dubai plunged into darkness between 8pm and 9pm, to mark Earth Hour in the emirate.
Iconic buildings like Burj Al Arab, Burj Dubai and Jumeirah Beach Hotel switched off their external lights, while hundreds, mainly students, took part in a Lantern Parade as part of the emirate's global fight against climate change. The 2-km walk that began at the Burj Al Arab saw many students, women and men hold lanterns and walk along the Beach Road to Jumeirah Beach Park and back. The start of the parade was marked by the switching off Burj Al Arab's exterior lights and fire fountain, plunging Dubai's world famous icon into darkness. Police and ambulances escorted the volunteers as they walked the stretch enthusiastically. The atmosphere was charged up as volunteers shone their lanterns to lead the way and walked briskly. “This walk shows a deep concern for the environment and sends a strong message that we are united with the world against global warming,” said Sara Adams, a student of English Medium School. “Dubai has taken the first step and as a student, I am extremely proud to take part in this initiative. I have asked my parents to also switch off lights while I am walking here,” said Bader Mohammed, a student from Ajman University. Many hoped to take this message of conserving power and saving energy back to their homes and promised to do their bit to protect the world and their future generations from global warming. Scores of residents across the emirate also voluntarily turned off their non-essential lights and electrical appliances at the stroke of 8, as they joined the World Wildlife Foundation's global Earth Hour movement. The emirate became the first Arab city last night to officially participate in the Earth Hour, led by Dubai Holdings and the Dubai Water and Electricity Authority (DEWA). It has also garnered the support of Dubai Municipality and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), which dimmed streetlights in some areas.
Iconic buildings like Burj Al Arab, Burj Dubai and Jumeirah Beach Hotel switched off their external lights, while hundreds, mainly students, took part in a Lantern Parade as part of the emirate's global fight against climate change.
The 2-km walk that began at the Burj Al Arab saw many students, women and men hold lanterns and walk along the Beach Road to Jumeirah Beach Park and back. The start of the parade was marked by the switching off Burj Al Arab's exterior lights and fire fountain, plunging Dubai's world famous icon into darkness. Police and ambulances escorted the volunteers as they walked the stretch enthusiastically.
The atmosphere was charged up as volunteers shone their lanterns to lead the way and walked briskly.
“This walk shows a deep concern for the environment and sends a strong message that we are united with the world against global warming,” said Sara Adams, a student of English Medium School.
“Dubai has taken the first step and as a student, I am extremely proud to take part in this initiative. I have asked my parents to also switch off lights while I am walking here,” said Bader Mohammed, a student from Ajman University.
Many hoped to take this message of conserving power and saving energy back to their homes and promised to do their bit to protect the world and their future generations from global warming.
Scores of residents across the emirate also voluntarily turned off their non-essential lights and electrical appliances at the stroke of 8, as they joined the World Wildlife Foundation's global Earth Hour movement.
The emirate became the first Arab city last night to officially participate in the Earth Hour, led by Dubai Holdings and the Dubai Water and Electricity Authority (DEWA). It has also garnered the support of Dubai Municipality and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), which dimmed streetlights in some areas.
