The Grand Millennium Dubai, a luxury hotel in the UAE emirate, was one among the millions who participated in the biggest environmental event of the year - Earth Hour.

Between 08.30 pm and 09.30 pm on March 28, lights in more than 7,000 cities in 162 countries were dimmed or extinguished, in a symbolic gesture of support for a green agenda initiated by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Here, the principal hotel sign lights were turned off along with external spot lights and garden lights, and non-essential interior lighting, while guests at the hotel and team members in the staff accommodation also joined in the hour's darkness.
 
According to general manager, Peter Mansourian, the results go beyond saving energy for 60 minutes: "The real achievement of Earth House is boosting awareness of what needs to be done to protect the future of planet Earth," he said.

"The focus this year has been on how we can act to stem climate change, and particularly in this part of the world, to save water, and the momentum which started on March 28 will run to benefit every citizen of the world," he said. – TradeArabia News Service