Doha joined thousands of cities across the world in marking Earth Hour last night as several landmarks in the city switched off their lights for an hour at 8.30pm to raise awareness about climate change.
Skyscrapers in West Bay, which normally glitter with lights after dark, and many other buildings stood in darkness in support of calls for lasting action on climate change and to symbolise their commitment to save the planet.
Restaurant goers got to enjoy a candlelit dinner as hotels sought to underline the difference that small steps to save energy can make to the environment.
The organisers of Earth Hour encourage individuals, organisations and governments to make the switch to renewable energy. This year, they had called on individuals and organisations to adopt simple renewable energy solutions and for businesses to have more sustainable practices. Governments are encouraged to promote policies favourable to the production and uptake of renewable energy.
Use of resources increased by an average of 10 percent in 2012 as compared to 2011, and this poses a big challenge to Qatar.
“Water consumption in Qatar increased by nine percent in 2012 in comparison to the previous year. Electricity energy and maximum demand increased by 13 percent during the same period. Therefore, the big challenge for this region is to plan ahead and execute infrastructure energy projects to keep pace with economic growth”, Qatar’s Minister of Energy and Industry, H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada said recently.
Yesterday, many institutions took the initiative to switch of their lights between 8.30pm and 9.30pm, pledging to take action in support of the planet beyond Earth Hour and encouraging the public to take steps for environmental protection.
Ooredoo the first company in Qatar to commit to Earth Hour, in 2009, switched off lights and non-essential systems at its tower in West Bay and its Airport headquarters.
Ooredoo aims to raise awareness on environmental issues and energy conservation, and inspire positive actions for the environment beyond yesterday’s hour-long move. In addition to its support for Earth Hour, the company supports a wide range of e-waste recycling and other sustainability initiatives.
Al Gassar Resort created a special ambience by turning off lights in all its common areas and lighting candles, an action that reaffirmed its commitment to environmental causes.
Mohamed Sleiman, Assistant Chief Operating Officer, Al Gassar Resort, said: “Participating in Earth Hour was imperative for Al Gassar Resort, a member of Alfardan Group, especially since the group takes environmental issues very seriously and has plans to take such initiatives further as a serious environmental advocate in Qatar and will continuously remain committed to such a sustainable development in the years to come.”
St. Regis Doha, which is an integral component of Al Gassar Resort, also commemorated Earth Hour 2013 in a special way. While hotel guests who wished to remain in their rooms were encouraged to participate by turning off the lights, other guests were invited to a candlelight event held on the beach in support of Earth Hour. Hotel guests and members of the local community came together holding up lit candles, even as lights of the Al Gassar Resort, St Regis Doha and other buildings across Doha’s skyline went off in unison.
The Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha encouraged all hotel guests and employees to switch off the lights in all guest rooms and public areas in order to raise awareness of the need to take action against climate change. During Earth Hour the hotel was lit with candles, which also created a romantic setting for candlelit dinners. To celebrate Earth Hour, the hotel’s restaurants Maxim and Pier 12 offered a set menu.
Ramada Encore Hotel also switched off its lights, and so did Wyndham Grand Regency Doha.
“While turning off lights can be a challenge for a busy hotel with hundreds of guests, we believe the hospitality industry can and should be a leader in reducing our impact on the environment,” Ayman Lotfy, General Manager of Wyndham Grand Regency Doha, said in a statement.
Earth Hour began as a single-city initiative in Sydney, Australia in 2007 and has since grown into a global movement. Yesterday, millions of people from more than 7,000 cities and towns in 152 countries switched off their lights for Earth Hour, with Palestine, Tunisia, Suriname and Rwanda joining the event for the first time.
World Wildlife Fund, which organises the annual event, aims to stop the degradation of Earth’s natural environment and focus on building a future where people live in harmony with nature.
The Peninsula
