What's Earth Hour? Why the UAE will be going dark on Saturday

On Saturday, March 28, people around the world will be switching off their lights and unnecessary electrical appliances from 8.30pm to 9.30pm, in a bid to accomplish their part for NATURE.

It’s all part of Earth Hour, a world-wide event started by the GLOBALLY Fund for Nature (WWF). The grassroots movement, which first launched as a symbolic lights-out event in Australia in 2007, is continuing to grow exponentially through the years, now seeing people in more than 180 countries engaging.

What is Earth Hour?

The idea is simple - for just one hour every year, persons are encouraged to turn off lights and all unnecessary electrical appliances in order to reduce their carbon footprint. But, as the web site states, “it really is a lot more than that. This is a symbol of unity. This is a symbol of hope. This is a symbol of power in collection action for nature.”

In the region

In the UAE, Emirates Nature has partnered with the WWF to motivate residents to become a section of the initiative. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) is also encouraging residents to change off unnecessary electrical appliances and “hook up to earth”.

His Excellency Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) said, “Earth Hour keeps growing in significance worldwide and has turned into a symbol of unified global action to preserve nature. It indeed implies that small collective actions, like switching off the lights at the same time for just one hour, can have lasting positive impact. After all, Earth is our only home and preserving this is a joint responsibility.”

Exceptional circumstances

For the first time ever, the hour comes when over 25 % of the world’s population are under lockdown in order to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. In the UAE, residents have been told to remain indoors from 8pm to 6am until Sunday, for a three-day mass disinfection programme

Recognising the exceptional circumstances, organisers of the planet earth Hour have announced that several countries, including the UAE, will be celebrating Earth Hour virtually, for the very first time ever.

Residents can do their part for the earth by partaking in virtual events like having an Earth Hour Live Party using Facebook Live, or connecting with others over Instagram or YouTube live steaming. Residents can also create Live Spotify EH Playlist (“plug your earphones in and dance the hour away at night”), encourage others to talk about what they’re doing in the dark via TikTok or use Mural Virtual Whiteboard to play games like Pictionary or Hangman.

Other ideas from the planet earth Hour global organising team include:

Dinner at night: get candles ready while enjoying meals

Have a nights board games or book readings in candlelight

Have a themed movie night

Play Heads Up!

Camp/ make a tent in the backyard or living room

Despite being home-bound, many UAE residents have previously pledged to become a part of Earth Hour 2020.

“I’ll be smoking cigarettes candles and relaxing for the hour,” says Natasha Jain, a freelance social media manager, who participates in the case each year. She doesn't assume that taking part will be difficult while home-bound. “I think most people are receiving uninterested in doing the same things anyway. They’re looking for innovative new things you can do.”