KSA observes Earth Hour

RIYADH/JEDDAH: The Kingdom, along with most countries in the world, observed Earth Hour on Saturday night by switching the lights off from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on major streets, buildings and landmarks, in addition to media statements and interviews.
Launched this year under the motto, “Focus on preserving energy,” Earth Hour is observed across the world on March 19 every year. It is a worldwide grassroots movement uniting people to protect the planet, and is organised by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
In a press statement, Ajlan Al-Ajlan, the Kingdom’s executive director of the World Earth Hour Bureau, said that the event was a good opportunity to draw public attention to the issue of rationalized use of resources, especially energy.
Several ministries, municipalities and health organizations around the Kingdom marked the event including the Ministries of Transportation, and Municipalities and Rural Affairs, the Governorate of Hail, Riyadh Municipality, Jeddah Municipality, Madinah Municipality, Onaiza, Saudi Health Council, King Saud Medical City in Riyadh.
Riyadh Municipality switched off lights on King Fahd, Mosa bin Nosair, Ahmad bin Hanbal, and Isha bin Abi Bakr roads, as well as the advertising billboards it runs.
In Jeddah, the municipality switched off lights at its headquarters and premises in the city. Also, it did so at some of the major roundabouts, like the Earth and Fawanees roundabouts on King Abdulaziz Road. Participants in other parts of the Kingdom did the same.
Jeddah Mayor Hani Abu Ras said the municipality’s participation in Earth Hour every year is aimed at rationalizing energy consumption and educate the community about the importance of preserving natural resources and protecting the environment.
Salwa Koshak, PR manager of Jeddah Hilton, Waldorf Astoria Jeddah and Qasar Al Sharq, said lights in the hotel lobby and certain exterior areas were switched off for an hour.
“We are living in a desert so we should sustain water for future use and reduce consumption of electricity to save the environment for our future generations. Such events can create awareness among the people about the environment,” she said, adding that cupcakes with the earth logo were distributed among the guests.
Ryan Kaddouri, deputy general manager-operation, Red Sea Mall, said 75 percent lights at the mall were switched off as part of its CSR activity toward preserving the environment and natural resources.