ABU DHABI // Businesses switched off lights and generated electricity via stationary cycles last night during a campaign aimed at increasing awareness of climate change.
The effort was part of a global initiative, endorsed in the UAE by the Emirates Wildlife Society-World Wide Fund for Nature, to save energy and spread awareness about environmental issues.
The foundation had asked individuals, governments and businesses to take part by turning off lights for one hour starting at 8.30pm.
Businesses said they heeded the call as part of their commitment to the welfare of the community.
Abu Dhabi Airports dimmed, or switched off, non-essential lighting on runways and in terminal buildings and management offices. At the airport, a presentation entitled Environmental Awareness: Going Beyond Earth Hour was delivered by Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Ali Al Nuaimi, also known as the "Green Sheikh", the environmental adviser to the Government of Ajman.
Abu Dhabi Airports organised an art competition for children to emphasise the importance of conserving scarce natural resources.
The company said its 2011 environmental initiatives included educating staff on energy and waste management practices, and setting a target of recycling 25 per cent of waste from airports by the end of the year.
At the Fairmont Bab al Bahr, staff including the general manager, and guests cycled for 24 hours to generate clean, renewable energy using two stationary bicycles which were linked to a dynamo. The effort began at 10.30am and will end at 10.30am today, symbolically covering every time zone in the world.
The energy created was used to operate projectors to show two films about the environment: the Oscar award-winning documentary on global warming An Inconvenient Truth, and the feature-length documentary The 11th Hour.
The cycling workload was shared among members of the hotel team, guests, dignitaries and the community. The hotel's restaurants also turned off non-essential lights, offering candlelit dinners for guests. And a monetary contribution from each meal bill was donated to the WWF to support various projects, including sea turtle conservation and the "Choose Wisely" campaign for endangered marine life.
The One restaurant and furniture shop switched off the logo outside the store and shut down staff computers for an hour. The staff also turned off non-essential lighting in the restaurants.
"Our customers are aware of this so they were very accommodating and supportive," said Clare Andow, the store manager.
Mrs Andow said the effort was part of the company's general social responsibility policy, which included recycling, reducing fuel use by delivering to all customers who live in one area at the same time and using environmentally friendly lighting.
The company, she said, was also studying the possibility of using information technology equipment that is environmentally friendly.
hhassan@thenational.ae
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
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Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
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Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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Price, base / as tested Dh1,100,000 (est)
Engine 5.2-litre V10
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch
Power 630bhp @ 8,000rpm
Torque 600Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 15.7L / 100km (est)
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Formula 1 second practice, 5pm
Formula 2 qualifying, 7pm
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C Lynn 91*, A Lyth 20, B Laughlin 1-15
Team Abu Dhabi 114-3
L Wright 40*, L Malinga 0-13, M McClenaghan 1-17
Maratha Arabians won by 24 runs
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Company%20Profile
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UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures and results:
Monday, UAE won by three wickets
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
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- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
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Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
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On sale: Now
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1st Test England win by 211 runs at Lord's, London
2nd Test South Africa win by 340 runs at Trent Bridge, Nottingham
3rd Test July 27-31 at The Oval, London
4th Test August 4-8 at Old Trafford, Manchester
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Sceptre
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