Sharjah to switch lights off to mark Earth Hour

Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in collaboration with Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) is gearing up to mark Earth Hour, through a variety of activities that will be held at Al Majaz Waterfront on Saturday, March 19.
Themed "this Earth Hour, Shine a Light on Climate Action", the event is part of the intergovernmental coordination efforts in the emirate of Sharjah and in line with the corporate social responsibility commitment. 
The activities will begin at 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm and will include an awareness exhibition about Earth Hour, a themed wall graphic, selfies, educational workshops, audience competitions, entertaining clowns, glowing T-shirts and other giveaways and educational brochures. 
The event aims to promote the partnership work between local government's entities, reinforce the sense of social responsibility to preserve the environment and rationalize the energy consumption and mainstream the principles of sustainable development among various social sectors. 
Hana Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, said: "Earth Hour is a global campaign in which governments and private sector contribute to save power and protect the natural resources by reducing the carbon footprint and emissions that threaten the environment. Through co-organizing this campaign with SEWA, we are looking forward to ensure sustainable resources and a better future for coming generation".
She added that Sharjah was able to reduce energy consumption by 30MW, and reduce 18 tons of carbon emissions in the Earth Hour last year. The emirate aims to expand the participation to more organizations in the city of Sharjah and the Eastern Region of the Emirate to achieve even better results. The emirate called upon citizens and residents to switch the light and electrical equipment off to protect the earth. 
Dr. Eng. Rashid Al Leem, the Chairman of Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA), said: "We are pleased to take part in Earth Hour celebration, which we consider an important opportunity to spread awareness about the importance of reducing energy consumption, saving electricity and protecting our resources to future generation. This campaign, which we have been organizing since few years, has helped raise awareness about the highly important public engagement in environmental initiatives that make a positive change in community". 
The list of collaborating departments and authorities includes the Sharjah Police Headquarters, Sharjah International Airport Authority, The Ministry of Interior, Emirates foundation For Youth Development, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, Sharjah Museums Department, Supreme Council of Family Affairs and Sajaya young ladies of Sharjah. 
The EPAA will celebrate the Earth Hour in the Easter Region of the Emirate of Sharjah through a series of activities at Khorfakkan Corniche on Saturday, March 19, from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm. The event will be run in collaboration with SEWA, Khorfakkan Police and government departments in Khorfakkan.
The aim is to raise public awareness on the importance of rationalizing energy consumption and promoting energy efficiency practices to protect our natural resources.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

FILE: Eye of the Emirates at Al Qasba in Sharjah before and during earth Hour in 2013. - KT photos by M. Sajjad