|
Dubai
, UAE - March 11, 2010:
A record Earth Hour is looming with more countries now signed up for the event than for last year’s globe circling lights out for climate action.
Just over two weeks out from the event, timed for 8.30 pm on March 27, organisers are now active in 103 countries, compared to a final participation figure of 88 countries in 2009 which saw hundreds of millions participating.
With confirmation that the Tokyo Tower in Tokyo and Brandenburg Gate in Berlin will both turn off their lights for Earth Hour, all members of the G20 are now taking part in the event. Here in the UAE thousands of people have already signed up and several iconic landmarks will announce their participation next week.
Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF), the organisation representing the WWF in the Middle East encourages everyone to sign up for Earth Hour at www.uae.panda.org/earthhour.
EWS-WWF is moreover encouraging residents in the UAE to take action everyday and live more sustainable lifestyles. With the campaign Heroes of the UAE (heroesoftheuae.ae), EWS-WWF provides tips and information to people and organizations interested in contributing to the fight against climate change.
“Earth Hour is a powerful symbol of what can be achieved through collective action on a global scale, and it really demonstrates that hundreds of millions of people around the globe are concerned for the planet and wish to see an end to climate change. Our ‘Heroes of the UAE’ campaign is an opportunity for individuals residing in the UAE to take action by joining the campaign and start saving energy everyday and make an effort to help tackle climate change. We all have to play a role - individuals, businesses and governments,” said Ida Tillisch, Director of Marketing and Business development at EWS – WWF.
“Earth Hour demonstrates the determination of the world’s citizens for a better healthier world,” said Earth Hour Executive Director, Andy Ridley. “It brings together cities, communities, businesses and individuals on the journey to positive action on climate change,”
As a co-founder of the event, Ridley has seen it boom from a one city, one country event in 2007 to the levels where nearly half the world’s nations, and many of its largest cities and iconic landmarks make a statement for a more secure and safer future.
Countries and regions involved for the first time include the world’s newest country Kosovo, the remote island nation of Madagascar, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Mongolia, Cambodia, Czech Republic, Paraguay, Ecuador and the US Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands in the Pacific Ocean amongst others.
“Earth Hour is an opportunity for the global community to speak in one voice on the issue of climate change, while at the same time coming together in celebration of the one thing every single person on the planet has in common – the planet,” he said.
“Whether it’s joining your community in a town square to watch the city lights go dark or hosting a lights out party in your own home, I encourage everybody across the world to be a part of this important and historic occasion. Turn off your lights, celebrate the planet, enjoy the moment and think about the future of our living planet.”
|
