© Ahmed Sameer

© Ahmed Sameer

Every year, Earth Hour calls on people around the world to demonstrate their

commitment and willingness to take action for the planet by switching off all

non-essential lights for one hour. It also calls on everyone to go beyond the

hour, and make Earth Hour more than just an hour by adopting long term

environmental change.

This year, Earth Hour’s impact was once again record-breaking worldwide.

Reaching over hundreds of millions in 150 countries and 7000 cities, with

new countries including Palestine and Philippines. Key landmarks around the

world switched off their lights to observe the hour, including Sydney Opera

House, Burj Khalifa, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Great Wall of

China, and the red square and Kremlin in Russia.

The campaign garnered the support from key organizations and high profile

individuals that called for everyone to unite for the planet. As darkness swept

the planet on the night of 23rd of March 2013, former South African president

Nelson Mandela took to Twitter to show his support for the cause.

“The trees & forests were destroyed exactly because our people were so

dependent upon them as sources of energy. Each time one of us touches

the soil of this land, we feel a sense of personal renewal”

The innovative “I Will If You Will” (IWIYW) platform continued to garner support

this year, to empower everyone to be an inspiration for others, and motivate

them to make positive changes in their life for the planet.

I Wil lf You Will is an evolving platform that empowers people to participate and

to inspire others.

This happens by encouraging individuals commit to an environmental action in

exchange for a dare. Everyone and anyone can post a challenge on the

campaign’s online platform, and invite others to accept their challenge by

answering the question: 'What are you willing to do to save the planet?'

Several celebrities participated, such as Jessica Alba, Ian Somerhalder, and

Loveless – challenging the world to do something to help the environment in

exchange for a dare.

Global Challenges:

Former President of Botswana, Mr Festus Mogae has promised to plant

one million indigenous trees over four years as part of his I Will If You

Will challenge, kicking it off by planting 100,000 trees in a severely

degraded area in Southern part of the country called Goodhope.

The world's first Earth Hour forest in the East African nation of Uganda

has begun the fight against the 6000 hectares of deforestation that occurs

in the country every month. The Earth Hour team in Uganda has secured

more than 2700 hectares of degraded land aiming to plant 500,000 trees in

2013.

All 7 Emirates Participated

• In the UAE, all seven emirates and 23 cities participated and ran over 20

community events, and a total of more than 250 organisations, 110

schools, and 7000 people signed up for Earth Hour, with the message

reaching more than 4 million people in the UAE.

• Many of the UAE’s landmark buildings also switched off all non essential

lights, heading the list were several prominent landmarks such as the Burj

Khalifa, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Aldar HQ, Emirates Palace, Etihad

Towers and the Burj Al Arab.

The Prime Minsiter and Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His

Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum tweeted his

support on Earth Hour, saying: “Sustaining our Earth remains a

fundamental principle in our policies. Next generations have the right to

inhert a clean & safe environment”

High profile individuals such as His Highness Sheikh Abdulaziz Al

Nuaimi (The “Green Sheikh”), Noura Al Kaabi (CEO of TwoFour54),

Ramiz Al Aileh (manager of Powerwise at the Regulation and

Supervision Bureau) showed their support as Earth Hour ambassadors

Earth Hour song: UAE-based hip-hop artist Feras Ibrahim, who wrote a

song in support of Earth Hour entitled “That’s Reality”.

An example of this inspiring initiative in the UAE is Abdul Mukeet (also known

as the “Paperbag Boy”), an 11 year old who pledged to eat a vegetarian diet

for a month if a 100 reduce their usage of plastic bags

EWS-WWF’s own Acting Director General, Ida Tillisch, presented her own

challenge, calling on the UAE’s public to sign up for Earth Hour, and promising

to cook a lunch for 50 people using sustainable fish and ingredients.

Read more on inspiring challenges from individuals and organisations on our

website, www.ewswwf.ae

Key events: Abu Dhabi

DRUMMING AT ABU DHABI

CORNICHE

In an event hosted by many

organisations, a candle-lit walk took

place, accompanied by drumming

sessions led by Dubai Drums as part

of ADMAF’s Abu Dhabi Music

Festival. The buildings of the Abu

Dhabi Corniche were switched off

along with other key landmarks

across the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

YOGA AT ABU DHABI CORNICHE

FORMAL PARK

Free yoga lesson followed by a

guided mediation was organised by

The Art of Living - Abu Dhabi

60 AND BEYOND PHOTOGRAPHY

COMPETITION

Calling on all photography lovers, the

2nd Abu Dhabi Earth Hour

photography competition invited all

photographers to submit their Earth

Hour photos for the competition.

CANDLELIGHT BY ZEINA

COMMUNITY BEACH

Aldar invited all to participate in their

Earth Hour event which included a

video show, lights switch off, with

candles and setting on the beach.

ORGANIC DINING AT THE WESTN

HOTEL

Organic drinks and organic food

(prepared with locally grown,

sustainable produce) was served for

the night of the event, in a candle-lit

atmosphere and beautiful acoustic

music from the resident pianist.

© Moath Noor

© EWS-WWF

© EWS-WWF

Key events: Dubai

EARTH HOUR WALK AT BURJ

BOULEVARD

The boulevard buzzed with people

and families that joined an Earth Hour

walk during the hour.

With Burj Khalifa switching off for the

hour, thousands of participants took

stands to be part of the global

movement by joining Dubai

celebrations with competitions, prizes,

game shows, and a drum show.

CELEBRATIONS AT SAFA PARK

Emirates Diving Association, in

collaboration with The Archive at Safa

Park (gate 5) celebrated the hour with

a social event involving lots to do for

the whole family, where they would

pick up Connect Cards filled with

interesting facts and questions and

use them as a conversation starter,

as well as having video booths, and a

drumming session.

GLOW-IN-THE-DARK PING PONG

Jumeira Rotana Hotel hosted a Table

Tennis Earth Hour Tournament using

a glow-in-the-dark ball.

© EWS-WWF

© EWS-WWF

Key events: Dubai

PAINTING FOR MOTHER EARTH

This was a special Earth Hour event

at the Radisson Blu Residence in

Dubai Marina, for children (ages 5-12)

to paint their ideas to save Mother

Earth. 3 prizes were given out to

children.

ART FROM SCRAP

Dubai Silicon Oasis is hosted the

"ART FROM SCRAP" competition,

where people were invited to make

artwork out of recycled materials

ahead of time, that would be

displayed during the event, with

prizes to be won!

LE MERIDIEN GOING DARK

The hotel turned off its lights in

observance of Earth Hour. Also, the

Natural Elements Spa & Fitness

conducted an hour of yoga &

aerobics followed by a night spa

offering in a candle-lit outdoor venue

© EWS-WWF

© EWS-WWF

Key events: Sharjah

AL MAJAZ WATERFRONT

The Environment and Protected

Areas Authority hosted an Hour event

in Al Majaz Waterfront.

Awareness workshops for families

and kids, along with an environmental

awareness exhibition organized by

participating authorities, as well as an

electricity conservation mural and a

car that runs on natural gas was part

of the many activities held during the

hour.

Key events: Fujairah

Candle-lit event took place on

Fujairah Corniche, along with

lanterns lit up the night sky during the

hour. Fujairah Municipality sent about

400 SMS’s to the public, as well as

created a large momentum on twitter

around Earth Hour. Not to mention

having key landmarks in the city,

along with all police stations switch off

during Earth Hour.

© Fujairah Municipality

© Fujairah Municipality

Facebook Highlights

2 million reach on Facebook

Over 200,000+ clicks recorded (FB ads)

Over 7000 RSVP’ed to our Earth hour event page

Twitter Highlights

2 million reach on Twitter

#earthhour was trending on Twitter

• Notable mentions were made on Earth Hour by H.H Sheikh Mohammed

Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and H.H Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Nuiami

A word cloud shows us the most commonly used words along with “Earth

Hour”

© Ahmed Sameer

Featured Earth Hour Articles in:

- Dunia Al Ittihad

- Read Magazine

- Al Ittihad

- Al Bayan

- Gulf News

- Khaleej Times

- The National

- 7 Days

- Abu Dhabi Weekly

- Bgreen Magazine

- The Young Vision Magazine

Photo Captions in:

-Hello! Middle East

-My News Magazine (ADMAF)

Broadcast:

- Dubai Eye

- Gulf News Radio

- Studio One

- MBC

- Sky News

- Abu Dhabi TV

- Dubai TV

Total Ad Value of the Month (AED): 3,062,403

English: 2,531,893 Arabic: 530,510

Total Online

English:453,245 Arabic: 163,882

©Viktoriya Vinnikava

ABU DHABI

• Aldar Headquarters

• Etihad Towers

• Sheikh Zayed Bridge

• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

• Twofour54 Headquarters

DUBAI

• Burj Al Arab

• Burj Khalifa

• Fairmont Dubai

• Hilton Dubai Creek

• Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort

• Jumeirah Beach Hotel

• Jumeirah Emirates Towers

• Madinat Jumeirah

• Meydan Hotel

• Raffles Dubai

• Zabeel Saray

SHARJAH

Al Qasba - Eye of the Emirates

FUJAIRAH

Fujairah Fort

Fujairah Municipality

UMM AL QUWAIN

Umm Al Quwain Municipality

RAS AL KHAIMA

RAK Chamber of Commerce

RAK Municipality

AJMAN

Ajman Municipality

Abu Dhabi Distribution Company

Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations

Abu Dhabi Education Council

Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Company Ltd

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority

Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation

Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company

Abu Dhabi Sports Council

Abu Dhabi Systems & Information Centre

ACS

ACWA Power

ADFCA

Adyard Abu Dhabi LLC

Aegis Media

AGL Coca-Cola UAE & Oman

Al Ain Rotana Hotel

Al Ain Properties

Al Ain Zoo

Al Bustan Rotana - Dubai

Al Fahim Group

Al Futtaim Carillion

Al Ghandi Electronics

Al Gurair Rayhaan and Arjaan by Rotana

Al Hilal Bank

Al Hosn Gas Company

Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana

Al Majaz Mosque

Al Majaz Waterfront

Al Malak Dental and Orthodontic Polyclinic

Al Murooj Rotana - Dubai

Al Naboodah

Al Noor Mosque - Sharjah

Al Qasba

Al Qasba Mosque

Al Rahma Animal Welfare Society

Al Rawda Arjaan by Rotana

Al Zarouni Sons Real Estate

ALEC

Architect's Basketball Association

Architect Gives Back

Atlantis The Palm

Averda Waste Management L.L.C

Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa

Beach Rotana

Cafe Arabia

Canon Middle East

CB&I

Centro Al Manal Rota

Clock Roundabout - Sharjah

Crayons Communications

Crowne Plaza - Abu Dhabi

Crowne Plaza - Dubai

Centro Capital Centre by Rotana

Circus Kaos

Corniche Hospital

Crescent Enterprises

CWM Abu Dhabi

DAMAC

Delma Emirates Group

Department of Finance - Ajman

Department of Transport

Diasqua International DMCC

Dibba Municipality

Dnata

Dubai Airport

Dubai Chambers

Dubai Duty Free

Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA)

Dubai Municipality

Dubai Outsource zone

Dubai Ports World

Dubai Properties Group

Dubai Silicon Oasis

Ejadah Asset Management

Emirates Diving Association

Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC)

Energy Advantage Middle East

Engineering Maintenance Company

Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi

Etisalat

Fardan building

Farnek Avireal Total Facilities Management

Fairmont Dubai

Fairmont The Palm

First Gulf Properties

Green Road Electric & Sanitary Contracting Co.

Grosvner's House

Hala Arjaan by Rotana

HCT

Hi-Tech Engg Services

Holiday Inn - Sharjah

Holiday International Hotel

HSBC

Idama Facilities and Management Solutions

Imdaad LLC

Indian Ladies Association (ILA)

InfoFort

Ingersoll Rand

Jones Lang LaSalle UAE Limited, Dubai

Jones Lang LaSalle UAE Limited, Abu Dhabi

Journey Toys

Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Jumeirah Creekside Hotel

K Sera Sera

KEO International Consultants

Khan Corniche

Khidmah LLC

Kuwait Roundabout - Sharjah

Le Meridien Abu Dhabi

Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort

Le Meridien Dubai

Leighton Offshore

Liberty Investment Company LLC

Line Investments and Properties LLC

Lord's Hotel - Sharjah

Lotus Hotel Apartments & Spa Marina

Louis Berger

Maac Solutions

Majid Al Futtaim Properties

Mamzar Corniche

Mazyad Mall

Menard Vibro

Meydan Beach Club

Meydan Grandstand

Meydan Hotel

Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi

Ministry of Environment & Water

Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research

Modern Emirates Furniture & Office Equipments

MOHESR

Monte-Carlo Beach Club - Saadiyat Island

More Cafe

Municipality of Abu Dhabi City

National Drilling Company

Nawras

Nico International Hydrospace

ORC

Park Rotana & Park Arjaan by Rotana Abu Dhabi

PERI LLC

Petrofac

Plarcus DMCC

Power Turtoring

Philippine Society of Saftey Professionals -

UAE

Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort & Spa by

Anantara

Radisson Blu Hotel - Dubai Media City

Radisson Blu Residence

Raffles Dubai

RAK TDA

Read Magazine

Rihab Rotana

Rimal Rotana

Rixos Hotel - The Palm Dubai

Rotana Centro - Sharjah

Rotana Hotel Management Corporation Ltd

Rotana - Sharjah

Royal Training Institute

Regulation & Supervision Bureau

Saqr Hospital

Savoy Crest Hotel apartments

Savoy Suites Hotel Apartments

Savoy Central Hotel Apartments

Sea Light Electronics

Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri

Sharjah Central Souq

Sharjah Centre for Cultural Communication

Sharjah Equestrian Club

Sharjah Club

Sharjah Palace

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre

Shell EP International Limited

Sheraton Dubai Creek

Sheraton Dubai Mall

Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort

SPF Realty

St. Regis Saadiyat Island

Standard Chartered

Students for the Earth

Swiss Business Council Dubai

Tawam Hospital

TECOM Investments

The Address Montgomerie

The Art of Living

The Center of Waste Management - Abu Dhabi

The Change Initiative

The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC

Topaz Oil & Gas

Total United Arab Emirates

Traders Hotel Qaryat Al Beri

Trakhees

TWOFOUR54

Union National Bank

Wednesday Photography Group

Wild Wadi Waterpark

UAE Medical Insurance

United Nations for a Free Tibet

University City

Villa Rotana

Visa Middle East FZ-LLC

Wellpharma Medical Solution

Western Region Municipality

WSP Middle East

ABR School

Abu Dhabi International School

Abu Dhabi University - Al Ain

Ajman University of Science and Tech.

Al Adhwa Private School

Al Dhafra Private School

Al Diyafah High School

Al Ittihad Private School (Mamzar)

Al Manara Private School

Al Munai School - Ras Al Khaima

Al Reyadah School

Al Ruweideh

Al Sadiq Islamic English School Dubai

Al Shorouq Private School

Al Suqoor School (Abu Dhabi)

American Community School

Baraem Al Ain Private School

BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus

Deira Private School

Dubai American Academy

Dubai International Academy

Dubai Men's College

Dubai Modern High School

English Language School

Global English School

Grammar School

Happy Home Nursery

HCT Ruwais College Heriot Watt University - Dubai campus

His Highness Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum

Pakistan School

International School of Choueifat

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology

Merbah High School for Girls (Fujairah)

New Indian Model School (Sharjah)

Our Own English High School

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Arab Pakistan School

- Abu Dhabi

Sunrise English Private School - Mussafah, Abu

Dhabi

Szabist - Dubai Academic City

The Blossom Nursery

The Centra School - Dubai

The Elite Private School

The Indian High School

The Kindergarten Starters

The Millennium School

United Arab Emirates University

University of Bolton - Ras Al Khaima

University of Dubai

University of Sharjah

Wisdom High School

Zayed University