Screenshot from a video uploaded by Kahramaa requesting all in Qatar to switch off non-essential lights & appliances for an hour from 8.30- 9.30 PM on 30th March, Saturday to support the global initiative for Earth Hour.
Doha: To raise awareness on environmentally-friendly practices and renew commitment for saving planet earth’s biodiversity for future generations, Qatar, along with the world will observe lights-out event tonight from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
To express solidarity with the global movement, almost all government and private entities will turn off non-essential lights with afresh resolve to address sustainability-related issues threatening the planet.
Starting as a symbolic lights out event in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour, coordinated by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and other volunteer organisations, is now the “world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment, inspiring millions of people to take action for our planet and nature”.
“Building on last year’s success, participation and growing awareness on climate change, Qatar will continue the hashtag #EarthHourQatar campaign, where people will participate in various earth hour activities across the country. They will also use social media channels to run an online campaign and reach a larger number of people this year,” said the official website of Earth Hour.
It adds: “Earth Hour Qatar will be planning to organise activities to inform and raise awareness across the country. They will partner with various organisations and stakeholders to run campaigns and activities on Earth Hour.”
Kahramaa will mark Earth Hour at Kahramaa Awareness Park where authorities will not only organise awareness programmes on the environment but will also highlight Qatar’s efforts towards sustainability including Kahramaa’s ambitious and successful Tarsheed programme.
Different luxury hotels, as well as malls of the country, have also planned various innovative programmes to mark Earth Hour apart from pledging to turn off non-essential lights for an hour.
Minister of Municipality and Environment H E Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, said yesterday that the Ministry was working diligently through strategic plans consistent with the National Development Plan to preserve the environment and sustain wildlife in accordance with Qatar National Vision 2030, under the wise leadership of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
This came in a statement on the occasion of the Ministry’s participation in Earth Hour event today.
The Minister of Municipality and Environment, Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, said the purpose of the event is to remind countries and institutions of the dangers of climate change. The theme of this year’s event is losing nature, and he said that the choice was made to highlight the threats facing humankind. The Minister said: “The Ministry believes in the importance of cooperation to limit the negative climate impact across the globe. This can be done by the implementation of international conventions and treaties in climate change, pollution reduction and conservation of biodiversity.”
The Minister called on all segments of society to participate in this global event and to work on its development and sustainability to ensure sustainable development.
The Assistant Under-Secretary for Environmental Affairs Ahmed Mohammed Al Sada said that the ministry’s celebration on this occasion for years came from being one of the world’s leading initiatives to preserve the environment, as well as highlighting climate change and its effects. Tonight, The Ritz Carlton Doha will organise an event ‘Spin for Earth’ while The St. Regis Doha will be offering a unique opportunity ‘Yoga in the Dark’ to yoga enthusiasts.
Carrefour Qatar will observe lights out at all Carrefour stores today from 8:30pm to 9:30pm.
