Environmentalists in the UAE are encouraging the public to get involved in Earth Hour, an annual event where people turn off all lights for 60 minutes.
The event helps raise awareness and reduce carbon emissions in the country – as the world continues to face dire consequences of climate change – said Emirates Nature-WWF, a non-government organisation that backs the global environment campaign in the UAE .
Launched in 2007, the movement has the support of more than 190 countries, where homes, hotels, landmarks and government buildings switch off their lights for an hour.
More than three million people and 700 organisations across the UAE were involved last year. In Dubai, that helped save 178 megawatts of electricity and reduced 74 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. The emirate saved 114 tonnes in 2019 and 140 tonnes the year before.
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Around $3.5 trillion is required between now and 2050 to meet targets for a 'sustainable path', according to the International Energy Agency. AP Photo -
The makeshift Suweida camp for internally displaced people in Yemen’s Marib province. The effects of climate change have exacerbated the displacement of local populations during the country’s war. AFP -
A firefighter monitors a controlled burn, near Jolon, California.Frequent wildfires are an indication of climate change further getting out of control, say environmentalists. Bloomberg -
Wildfire burns through the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County, north of Azusa, California. AFP -
Steam rises from a steel mill in Duisburg, Germany. Some countries are using the coronavirus pandemic to wind back climate change commitments, say environmentalists. Getty Images -
A deforested area close to Sinop, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest rose by almost 22 percent from August 2020 to July 2021, compared with the same period the year before, reaching a 15-year high. AFP
"In the UAE, the movement has definitely grown over the years," Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, director-general at Emirates Nature-WWF, told The National.
“Last year, due to Covid-19, we wanted to ensure that the campaign was done in a safe format and supported health and wellbeing of the community. We implemented a digital Earth Hour campaign, which we're going to continue to do this year, as well. As an impact, we saw all seven emirates participate.”
"We're encouraging more people to participate this year and sign up through our website EarthHour.ae."
In previous years, public events were organised and people celebrated the campaign together by lighting candles.
How to participate in Earth Hour
The event takes place at 8.30pm and residents are encouraged to turn off their to switch off lights and all unnecessary electrical appliances for an hour on Saturday, 27 March.
However, many also take it beyond the 60 minutes to help reduce more emissions.
UAE residents can sign up for Earth hour online.
Theme of Earth Hour 2021
This year's campaign focuses on how nature loss is linked to an increased risk of pandemics.
Experts at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, a public health agency in the US, confirmed that Covid-19 is airborne and can spread through minuscule droplets.
This raised concerns globally about air pollution levels, which not only damages the Earth’s ozone layer, but also harms human health.
“I think a number of different environmental factors result in an increase in viruses. There’s also the encroachment of urbanisation on our natural environments and, therefore, the encroachment towards other species,” Ms Abdullatif said.
“If you're talking about air pollution, it is the single greatest environmental threat to the world and to our health, according to the United Nations.”
Each year, 6.5 million people die globally from exposure to indoor and outdoor pollution.
Climate change is directly linked to nature loss. High levels of greenhouse gases and human activities such as deforestation are damaging the atmosphere, creating severe weather changes and harming nature.
“What’s become clearer now is that our future and the planet’s future are intrinsically linked and both under threat,” Ms Abdullatif said.
She highlighted recent catastrophic events, such as the Covid-19 pandemic wildfires, extreme weather and locusts.
“Now we are dealing with the socio-economic impact, unfortunately," she said.
"So, making nature a priority is important because the planet's life support system gives us everything we need.”
Is the UAE feeling the effects?
The Emirates is not immune to the effects of climate change, particularly because of its dry climate.
Regular sandstorms are a concern as they carry dust that could potentially consist of harmful bacteria. Other areas of concern include lack of rain and high temperatures.
Qais Al Suwaidi, a climate change expert at the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, said the country was not spared the effects, but there was an action plan in place.
"The UAE's harsh desert environment makes it especially vulnerable to the impact of climate change, with high summer temperatures placing people, infrastructure and ecosystems close to heat thresholds," he told The National.
“To strengthen the country’s climate resilience, we have initiated the National Climate Change Adaptation Programme.
“Risks across priority sectors – energy, infrastructure, health, and the environment – have been assessed, and the ministry is currently working with its stakeholders to develop and implement relevant adaptation action plans.”
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A cyclist in Dubai's Discovery Gardens covers his eyes during a sandstorm in July, 2020. Pawan Singh / The National -
Traffic during the sandstorm in Discovery Gardens area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Visibility was reduced for drivers on Tuesday afternoon. Pawan Singh / The National -
Cloudy weather is forecast in the coming days. Pawan Singh / The National -
Sandstorms are relatively common in the summer months. Pawan Singh / The National -
The Dubai metro pictured on Tuesday. Pawan Singh / The National -
Visibility was reduced to 20 metres or so at one stage, in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
The weather in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National -
The weather in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Sandstorm weather in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Sandstorm weather in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National -
The sandstorm at Sheih Zayed Bridge, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
The sandstorm at the downtown Abu Dhabi E10 area. Victor Besa / The National -
Al Reem Island from downtown Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
The sandstorm at Twofour54, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
The sandstorm at the Abu Dhabi E10 Highway area. Victor Besa / The National
The ministry also launched the National Climate Change Plan 2017-2050. The goal is to create a climate-resilient green economy and improve quality of life.
Three priorities under the plan are – managing national greenhouse gas emissions, climate change adaptation planning and implementation, and a private sector-driven economic diversification programme.
What are the challenges?
Mr Al Suwaidi said there was need for more climate research and data collection projects.
“Studying the changes in climate, especifically in our region, will help us better prepare to address their impact,” he said.
“The greatest challenges we face with respect to climate science in the UAE include data acquisition and validation, in addition to the need for higher-resolution regional modelling efforts.”
This year, the ministry launched the UAE Climate Change Research Network to fill in these gaps.
It will bring together scientists and researchers to carry out advanced climate data collection, research on the impact of climate change and adaptation in the UAE and the wider Arabian Gulf region.
The Dubai Municipality and Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre launched an environment satellite recently. It will help create an air quality map of the country and measure greenhouse gases.
Earth Hour 2020 around the world - in pictures
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The Philippines: A volunteer arranges lit candles to read 'Fight Covid-19' during Earth Hour near a Catholic church in Borongan City, Eastern Samar province in 2020. AFP -
Australia: Before and after the lights were turned off for Earth Hour at the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. AFP -
China: A view of the National Stadium (Bird's Nest) with lights off during Earth Hour in Beijing. EPA -
Hong Kong: Before and after the lights were turned off. EPA -
Malaysia: The Petronas Twin Towers, left, and Kuala Lumpur Tower, right, stand illuminated before their lights are turned off to mark Earth Hour. AFP -
Taiwan: The Taipei 101 Skyscraper is lit up shortly before Earth Hour in Taipei. EPA -
Thailand: The skyline of Bangkok is seen after some of its lights are turned off to mark Earth Hour. AFP -
Indonesia: Before and during Earth Hour in Jakarta. AFP -
Japan: Before and after lights were turned off at Tokyo Tower. AFP -
Hungary: These photos show the 'Chain Bridge' in Budapest, illuminated by white lights to honour the efforts of healthcare staff against Covid-19, before and after the city lights were switched off to mark Earth Hour. AFP -
Belarus: Shots of the Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre of Belarus with lights on and off in Minsk. EPA -
Russia: Moscow's Kremlin with the lights switched on and off to mark Earth Hour. EPA -
Austria: The Schoenbrunn Palace with its illumination lights switched on and off. EPA -
Switzerland: Lausanne's Cathedral is pictured with lights switched off during Earth Hour. EPA -
Poland: The illumination of the Philharmonic M Karlowicz symbolically dimming down, in Szczecin. EPA -
Serbia: Belgrade's Saint Sava Temple with lights switched off. EPA -
Serbia: Two views of Belgrade's Ada Bridge with its illumination lights switched on and off. EPA -
Germany: Brandenburg Gate before and after turning off its illumination lights to mark Earth Hour in Berlin. EPA -
America: Boston's city skyline remains lit during the Earth Hour event in Boston as seen from Cambridge, Massachusetts. EPA
