The big switch off will happen on March 30…

This Saturday March 30, the biggest cities in the world will switch off their lights from 8.30pm to 9.30pm in support of tackling climate change. Organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Earth Hour has been running for over a decade encouraging people to turn off non-essential electricity for one hour.

The organisers behind the movement released this touching video, showing what Earth Hour is all about – you’ll see the Burj Khalifa switch-off at around 1.25:

How to get involved

You can do your bit for the movement simply by switching off all unnecessary electrical power between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on March 30.

But there are plenty of events around the UAE to get involved with, too. Here are five things to do for Earth Hour.

MotorCity, Dubai

MotorCity is hosting a free family-friendly event ahead of Earth Hour on March 29. The evening will be filled with low-energy consumption activities including stargazing, acoustic music performances and recycled arts and crafts workshops. Running from 4pm to 8pm, the event will also have an outdoor cinema, Capoeira martial arts performances and an organic market.

Windsor Park, MotorCity, Dubai, 4pm to 8pm, Friday March 29, free. 

Hillhouse Brasserie, Dubai

Hillhouse Brasserie in Dubai Hills Golf Club will be hosting a one-off barbecue and star-gazing session in support of Earth Hour. Dubai Astronomy Group will be leading the stargazing with telescopes and their CEO, Hasan Ahmad Al Hariri, will be on-hand to share revealing insights on astronomy. Enjoy unlimited barbecued bites from just Dhs150 per person. The candle-lit dinner has limited capacity so you’ll need to reserve in order to secure your spot.

Hillhouse Brasserie, Dubai Hills Golf Club, Dubai, 8pm onwards, Saturday March 30, Dhs150. Tel: (800) 666 353. facebook.com/HillhouseBrasserie

Arabian Ranches

Want to save 20 per cent off your bill on your bill at Ranches Restaurant on March 30? Simply bring in five empty drinks cans each for their recycling depository and the club will remove the discount from your final bill. There’s also a 25 per cent discount for guests who opt for the special vegetarian menu on the day. 

Ranches Restaurant, Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Dubai, Saturday March 31. Tel: (04) 888 3444. arabianranchesgolfdubai.com

St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi

St Regis’ restaurant 55 & 5th, The Grill will be hosting a candle-lit dinner with a la carte menu and complimentary welcome drink. Available indoors or out on the terrace, the steakhouse will offer a ‘dine under the stars’ concept as it switches off all lights throughout the hour. If you don’t fancy dinner, the St. Regis Athletic Club will host a moonlight yoga session between 8.30pm and 9.30pm.

St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, 8.30pm to 9.30pm, Saturday March 30. Tel: (02) 498 8888. stregissaadiyatisland.com

Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi

In partnership with WWF, Jumeriah have organised a free Earth Hour Turtle Patrol to take place on March 30. The patrol will begin at 5pm with the building of a giant sand turtle on the beach, followed by a sunset safari and brief on WWF. By 8pm it’s time to start the night-time beach patrol to spot nesting turtle tracks.

Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, 5pm to 9.30pm, Saturday March 30, free. Tel: (02) 811 4444. connectwithnature.ae

Cipriani, Yas Island Abu Dhabi

Italian fine dining restaurant and lounge Cipriani, will be hosting a candle-lit dinner at their Yas Marina restaurant. Guests can enjoy the classic Italian a la carte menu while supporting the Earth Hour initiative.

Cipriani, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 8.30pm to 9.30pm, Saturday March 30. Tel: (02) 657 5400. cipriani.com

Visit earthhour.ae for more ways to get involved.

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Images: Supplied/Facebook