Emirates Nature-WWF, the non-profit organisation created to drive positive environmental change in the UAE and conserve the nation’s natural heritage, will spearhead the country’s participation in this year’s Earth Hour.
Earth Hour is an iconic global movement that WWF International started in 2007 and involves switching off all non-essential electricity for an hour to raise awareness for climate change and nature loss. Here in the UAE, Emirates Nature-WWF is the regional representative for the World Wildlife Fund and is executing a comprehensive awareness campaign. They expect five million people in the UAE to take part in Earth Hour this year, and are also inviting the public to participate in a special ‘Switch Off Parade’ around the monumental site of Expo 2020 on Saturday March 26th. Additional activities include a ‘Nature at Night’ event in Sharjah on Friday March 25th.
The ‘Earth Hour Switch Off Parade’ will be led by the Dubai Police Marching Band and followed by the members of Emirates Nature-WWF’s newly launched “Leaders of Change” programme as well as the general public. The activation is a key opportunity that the public is encouraged to be a part of. Walking side-by-side, the parade will build on the sustainability through innovation ethos of Expo 2020 to emphasize on this year’s Earth Hour message: Go Beyond the Hour. It is emblematic of the UAE’s commitment towards Net Zero and a Nature Positive world by transforming and mobilizing mass society to help overcome our greatest environmental challenges.
The procession will make its way throughout EXPO 2020 from 8:30 pm, starting at the Peruvian Pavilion in the Mobility District and ending at 9:30 pm at the UK Pavilion in the Opportunity District. An estimated 60+ pavilions will be participating in a symbolic switch off at intervals of 1 minute, for the duration of Earth Hour, to honour the iconic global event.
“It is apt to be carrying out this year’s event at Expo 2020 as it embodies the UAE’s vision of being at the forefront of sustainable development through innovation. Although Expo 2020 is coming to an end, the legacy of what has been built - the ideas, the cooperation, and the symbolism of the world in one place looking towards a prosperous future where people and planet collaboratively thrive – illuminates how we must move forward. We are proud to be powering down at Expo 2020 and playing a part in the symbolic lights-out movement. We encourage collective action and call on the UAE community to come together in solidarity for the environment on the upcoming occasion of Earth Hour” said Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature-WWF.
Emirates Nature-WWF is also inviting nature enthusiasts to attend its ‘Nature at Night’ adventure and spend three hours in Sharjah’s Nazwa Desert surveying the rock hills and surrounding desert, learning about the UAE’s nocturnal flora and fauna, and assessing the myriad of challenges facing nature and wildlife.
“Nature at Night is just one of the many activities that we feature in our “Leaders of Change” membership programme, that we have designed as an organization to help tackle environmental issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss. Through its activities, members get the opportunity to master environmental issues, co-create solutions alongside the UAE’s brightest minds and volunteer for nature, in nature” said Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature-WWF. ‘Nature at Night’ like the programme’s other activities helps us achieve real impact at scale. It supports our objective towards the UAE’s commitment to COP28, which will be hosted here in 2023 to report on the positive achievements towards the nation’s climate goals.
