Earth Hour Celebrations in Qatar -A Symbol of Commitment to Planet Earth

It’s no secret that our planet earth is changing. Global warming and climate change are just tip of the iceberg. Many initiatives have been taken to stop this destruction which is sad to say, is mostly brought on by harmful practices of humans. One of these initiatives is Earth Hour, a day when the entire world comes together to turn off unnecessary electric lights for one hour, as a symbol of commitment to the planet we live in. Qatar, a land known for its fast development and dedication to maintaining a safe and secure environment, also joined in this venture this year
.
At Earth Hour 2017, which was held under the theme ‘change climate change’; many governmental, private and residential establishments joined in turning off electric lights for one hour starting from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. There were other activities planned to celebrate Earth Hour as well. For example, Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels, a renowned Doha boutique hotel brand, presented a most unique offer at their Al Matbakh rooftop restaurant for Earth Day. With this, all the lights at the restaurant were switched off, candles were lit and the roof retracted so that their guests were given the chance to enjoy dinner under the starlit sky.

This was just one of the many celebrations for Earth Hour this year, which fell on 25th of March. Prior to the Earth Hour Day, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), stated “From the Eiffel Tower to Taipei 101 and the Empire State Building to the Acropolis, thousands of landmarks will switch off their lights in solidarity as individuals, communities, and organizations worldwide deliver on their potential to help change climate change, the planet’s biggest environmental challenge yet”.

Want to join Earth Hour too? Then get ready for next year when Earth Hour will be celebrated from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm on 31st of March.

Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The event is held annually encouraging individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights for one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on a specific day towards the end of March, as a symbol of commitment to the planet.[1] ar and its organisations are observing Earth Hour 2017, a global lights-off-event, today from 8:30pm to 9:30pm with the slogan ‘change climate change’.

Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) and its employees “will join hundreds of millions of people across the globe in switching off unnecessary lights and electronic devices for one hour today at 8:30pm” (local time).

“By taking part in this global “lights off” event, we take action on global warming to the benefit of the coming generations,” AZF said on its social media pages, adding: “Join us in this amazing and inspiring global celebration.”

Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) will also observe the Erath Hour 2017 through the National Program for Conservation and Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed).

Tarsheed supports this global initiative where millions of people around the world would switch off the lights from 8:30pm to 9:30pm. A number of hotels like Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels and other commercial establishments like Ezdan Mall have also announced observing the Earth Hour 2017.

“2017 marks the tenth anniversary of Earth Hour which started as a symbolic event in Sydney in 2007. Today, it is the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment, ensuring that people who are on the frontlines of climate change, are also empowered to be the planet’s first line of defense,” says World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) on its website. “From the Eiffel Tower to Taipei 101 and the Empire State Building to the Acropolis, thousands of landmarks will switch off their lights in solidarity as individuals, communities and organizations worldwide deliver on their potential to help change climate change, the planet’s biggest environmental challenge yet,” it adds.

To inspire more people to act, this year the Earth Hour movement is also inviting supporters to show their commitment to the cause on their Facebook timelines, in parallel to the lights out rolling across skylines.

People around the world can log onto earthhour.org/climateaction to donate five Facebook posts to Earth Hour and encourage their friends to be a part of local climate efforts. They can also use a new Facebook profile picture frame available on www.facebook.com/earthhour to celebrate Earth Hour.

Aspire Zone Foundation has also encouraged people to adopt environmentally friendly attitudes and habits. AZF has recommended a number of environmentally-friendly steps to mark the global event like: Unite with hundreds of millions of people from across the world on Saturday, 25 March 2017, and switch off unnecessary lights and electronic devices for one hour starting from 8:30pm. Donate your social power and change your profile picture to show care #ChangeClimateChange

Use less power at home or in the office. Switch off all computers, printers, lights and devices at the end of the day. Use energy saving lights bulbs and devices. Minimize printing and photocopying unless absolutely necessary. Try and go paperless on the Earth Hour day. Use recycling facilities.

The Earth Hour is increasing in popularity every year.