To mark Earth Hour, which will roll across the globe on Saturday, 19th March, 2016, the UAE Ministry of Energy has affirmed that the climate action initiative serves as a clear message on the importance of rationalisation of electricity.

In a statement on global observance, Dr. Mattar Al Neyadi said Earth Hour, which will occur in the UAE at 8:30 p.m. local time, promotes international efforts to raise awareness about the risks of excessive consumption of water and power resources.

''The Ministry of Energy will forge ahead with its plans to reach its strategic target: rationalisation of water and power consumption through the launch of a set of nationwide awareness initiatives,'' he added.

The ministry, he revealed, will launch Eco Runner, an interactive game to educate children about principles for optimum use of energy resources to ensure sustainability.

He urged members of the community to take rationalisation as a way of daily life and practice to preserve the valuable and rich natural resources for the generations to come.

Earth Hour will roll across the globe on Saturday, 19 March 2016, uniting individuals, communities and organizations in an unprecedented 178 countries and territories. Earth Hour is a global moment of solidarity for climate action and comes only months after governments agreed a new global climate deal.

As the lights dim in homes, offices and landmarks, the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment will once again bring together millions of people to shine a light on climate action and the role people can play in global efforts to change climate change.

"The world is at a climate crossroads," said Siddarth Das, Executive Director, Earth Hour Global. "While we are experiencing the impacts of climate change more than ever, we are also witnessing a new momentum in climate action transcending borders and generations. From living rooms to classrooms and conference rooms, people are demanding climate action. This tenth edition of Earth Hour is our time to ensure people are empowered to be a part of climate solutions."

This Saturday, as more than 350 of the world’s most iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, Taipei 101 and the Sydney Opera House prepare to switch off their lights, individuals around the world will switch on their power to make climate change history. From lending their voice to the planet through Earth Hour’s ongoing ‘Donate Your Social Power’ campaign, to signing petitions for climate policy and making individual pledges for sustainable living, millions will celebrate their potential to help build a better future for the planet and future generations.

"Earth Hour reminds us that while people are on the frontlines of climate change, they are also our first line of defense," said Das. "Our actions today, as individuals and the global community, have the power to transform what the world will look like for generations to come -- the time to act against climate change is now."

Since 2007, Earth Hour has mobilized businesses, organizations, governments and hundreds of millions of individuals in over 7,000 cities and more than 170 countries and territories to act for a sustainable future.

Source:WAM