EAD Calls On Individuals And Businesses To Back Earth Hour 2010

The Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) today issued a strong call to citizens, companies and public institutions throughout the emirate to switch their lights off as part of Earth Hour this year. Earth Hour is an annual international event, created by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) that calls on individuals and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights and electrical appliances for one hour. This year, Earth Hour will take place around the world on Saturday March 27, 2010 (8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. UAE time).

EAD will be organizing an internal awareness gathering for its employees and partners to screen a film demonstrating the simple ways they can conserve energy. EAD will also be coordinating with the management of Al Mamoura Building to ensure that lights are switched off during that hour.

Around the world, Earth Hour aims to raise awareness towards the need to take action on Climate Change. Earth Hour’s aim is target more than one billion people in 1,000 cities across 80 countries around the world. The event will be seeing millions of people gathered in parks, streets, town squares and homes around the world to witness the lights going out on iconic landmarks and city skylines, while taking in the atmosphere of some truly unique Earth Hour events.

“Earth Hour is not intended to be the solution to global warming but rather a way of affirming our commitment to tackling what is the most serious challenge presently facing humanity,” said H.E. Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of EAD.

“EAD strongly urges Abu Dhabi businesses, governmental organizations and individuals to stand together to highlight the urgent need to reduce energy use in our emirate and right around the world. We must work together to raise public awareness and pass a strong message that something can be done and must be done today,” he added.

How Can You Help?

• Switch off your lights between 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm on March 27, 2010.
• The UAE has one of the highest per capita commercial energy consumption rates in the world. Reduce your energy use.
• Replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
• Look for energy-efficient Appliances and the energy-saving logo.
• Use natural light, instead of artificial light by letting the sunshine in where there are windows.
• Before you travel, unplug your TV and VCR or other electronics that use electricity even when "off."
• Before running the dishwasher or washing machine, wait until you have a full load.
• Clean or change air filters on your A/C units in the summer so that they work more efficiently.
• Visit www.heroesoftheuae.ae for more tips on how to save energy.

About Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD)
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is a governmental agency that was established in 1996. We are committed to protecting and managing biodiversity, providing a clean environment and promoting Sustainable Development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. We provide a direction for Government, business and the community to build environmental considerations into the way they plan and live without compromising Abu Dhabi development. Since 2008, EAD has been awarded ISO 9001 for Quality; ISO 14001 for Environment and ISO 18001 for Health and Safety.
 

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