EPAA Organises ‘Connect With The Earth’, An Earth Hour Initiative
As part of an international partnership in the world’s largest global climate change initiative – organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) – the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) organised an Earth Hour initiative. On Saturday, lights were switched off for an hour between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm.
The event was held in cooperation with several government organisations including Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Police GHQ, Bee’ah Sharjah Environment Company, Sanid Team of Volunteers and Zayed’s Sons Volunteer Team. Sharjah Cat & Dog Shelter, Sharjah Kennel Centre (SKC), the Natural History & Botanical Museum, EPAA’s Department of Environmental Inspection, Wasit Wetland Centre, EPAA’s Marine Sustainability Department, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services and Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah also took part in the initiative.
The initiative included a series of outstanding events celebrating Earth Hour at Al Nakheel Square near Al Noor Island in Sharjah. The events included an exhibition created around the theme ‘Connect with the Earth’, showcasing the EPAA’s work and initiatives to preserve the environment and conserve environmental balance and biodiversity. The public had opportunities to interact with nature; cats were available for adoption and there were dog shows and opportunities to play with dogs, a tour of Al Nakheel Square and the lighting on Al Noor Island.
HE Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, EPAA Chairperson, said, “Earth Hour is a global event; people around the world turn off their lights and any unnecessary electronic devices for one hour every March to raise awareness about climate change and build a global community that is committed to working together to promote sustainability.”
Mrs Al Suwaidi explained that Earth Hour aims to encourage energy conservation in daily life in order to preserve the environment, reduce harmful emissions, encourage people to be responsible and to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our natural resources and preserving the environment, in the interests of developing a more sustainable way of living to benefit the planet and future generations.
The EPAA’s branch in Khorfakkan organised a ceremony to mark Earth Hour on Khorfakkan Corniche in cooperation with SEWA, Khorfakkan Comprehensive Centre and Khorfakkan Municipality, with the participation of Khorfakkan Department of Culture and Information, SCTDA, Sajaya Young Ladies of Khorfakkan, Khorfakkan Children’s Centres, Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre in Kalba, Kalba Bird of Prey Centre, Khorfakkan Family Development Center, Khorfakkan Hospital, Sharjah Institute for Heritage, Khorfakkan Ladies Club and Khorfakkan Sports Club.
The ceremony included a variety of activities such as workshops, an area for painting, candle lighting, a play by the Children’s Centres, clowns and a cycling performance by Khorfakkan Sports Club.
The Earth Hour campaign, a global annual event organised by WWF, started in Sydney, Australia in 2007 with approximately 18 million participants. In cooperation with SEWA, EPAA organises a celebration to educate the public about the importance of Earth Hour and the need to conserve electricity.
