Earth Hour marked in Oman
The Earth Hour was observed in countries across the world, including Oman, on Saturday.
All major commercial and public establishments in the capital took part the programme with Environment Society of Oman (ESO), Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA) and several commercial establishments switched off lights. The Royal Opera House, Muscat, major hotels, Qurum and Muscat City Centers, hospitals, hotels and the ministries took part in the annual event.
The public sector was led by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs by switching off all non-essential lights and in some places candles were lit.
“This is one way we can give back to the society. There can be no better moment to teach the importance of saving energy,” according to a senior official of a hospitality group.
He added that his organization has a clear strategy on energy conservation and it is conveyed to each and every staff on duty.
ESO organised a special event at Al Bandar Hotel of Shangri-La Barr al Jissah, which included special events for families and children to teach them about the importance of saving energy.
“For the past six years, we have joined millions around the world to shine a light on the most important issues threatening our planet. Once again, we are uniting with people from every walk of life and the international community to observe Earth Hour.
“We all share one planet and only by working together can we preserve it for future generations,” Lamees Daar, executive director of ESO, had said at the press conference last month.
Turning off lights for an hour may not result into immediate tangible results but it sends strong messages, according to academics.“It is important that we do not leave the task of saving energy to the future generation,” they feel.