BAHRAIN has been left in the dark as the largest global initiative to highlight climate change gets underway around the world tomorrow.
Earth Hour 2010, spearheaded by World Wildlife Fund, will see major cities and landmarks across the globe plunged into darkness for an hour to save energy.
Hundreds of millions of people along with companies, governments and communities have signed up for the event to show their support by switching off all non- essential power sources from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.
However, a GDN survey of 17 schools, several major companies and top hotels found that most had no activities planned and a sizeable majority knew nothing about the event.
One of the few set to mark the occasion will be the Gulf Hotel, which is hosting a poolside Earth Hour festival from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
Bands TQ Trio and Gemini 7 will perform at the event, which will also feature presentations, skits, dance performances and a quiz on the environment.
The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence and Spa will also switch off non-essential power in all areas of the hotel, including rooms, restaurants and public spaces, which will be lit by candlelight from 8.30pm.
The event also features a BBQ buffet and entertainment from Radio Bahrain DJ Krazy Kevin.
Children of all ages too are invited to take part in a poster competition to raise awareness about practical ways to deal with global warming.
Entry is free for all and starts from 7pm.
The Golden Tulip has also pitched in to support the cause.
"The Golden Tulip's indoor and outdoor lights will be switched off for an hour," said assistant front office manager Victoria Naydenova.
None of the major companies contacted had any events planned for Earth Hour.
However, Batelco reiterated its support for protecting the environment and saving power.
"Batelco introduced lighting timers throughout the company at the beginning of the year to control the amount of time lights remain on especially in areas that are infrequently used," said general manager of human resources Suhaila Al Nowakhda.
"We are continually looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint and have also recently introduced paper recycling within our offices."
More than 4,000 cities in 88 countries switched off during last year's Earth Hour.
This year 126 countries have pledged their support, with Saudi Arabia joining for the first time alongside other Middle Eastern countries including Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE.
"Earth Hour is a symbolic campaign of taking action through small individual efforts that transforms into a collective global event," said World Wildlife Fund Middle East marketing director Ida Tillisch.
"We can assume increasing support for such events is due to a rising consciousness about climate change."
Copyright 2010 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group
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