By Shafaat Ahmed www.khaleejtimes.com
DUBAI — Joining tens of thousands of iconic buildings and landmarks from across the world for the Earth Hour this year will be the tallest man-made structure — yes, our very own Burj Khalifa.
Turning off the golden glow that cascades down the 828-metre tower and the starry illuminations that punctuate it, the Burj Khalifa will make its presence felt for the first time in the planet’s most emphatic campaign against climate change.
Close behind the Burj Khalifa will be many other local and global landmarks, including the three tallest towers in the world after Burj Khalifa: CN Tower, Taipei 101 and Willis Tower would all stand in the dark from 8.30pm to 9.30pm on March 27.
The only structure from the top five yet to confirm their participation is Malaysia’s twin wonder Petronas Towers.
Among the local landmarks which will join the Burj this year are Burj Al Arab, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Abu Dhabi Tower of Commerce and Hyatt Regency.
Expressing appreciation for the record number of participants this year, a statement from Earth Hour said Burj Khalifa was the epitome of global cooperation and unwavering determination and, hence, perfectly reflected the campaign’s ideals.
Earth Hour Executive Director Andy Ridley — who has seen the campaign grow from a one-city affair in 2007 to more than 4,000 cities in 2009 — said growing number of participants symbolised the campaign’s popularity and the world’s resolve to save the planet.
“Earth Hour demonstrates the determination of the world’s citizens for a better and healthier world,” he said. “It is an opportunity for the global community to speak in one voice on the issue of climate change.”
When contacted, Burj Khalifa representatives were unavailable for comment.
Apart from hundreds of man-made structures, some of the world’s best known natural landmarks, including the Table Mountain and the Victoria Falls, will also join the campaign this year.
