The Environment Society of Oman (ESO), on March 26, reached out to individuals, schools and the private and public sector to spread awareness about global warming and encouraged everyone to turn off all non-essential lights for one hour. Earth Hour 2011 saw hundreds of millions of people in cities across the world switch off the lights for one hour for Earth Hour at hundreds of landmarks.
“This year, the ESO worked on going beyond the hour and consequently there was a substantial drop in energy consumption during March” said Lamees Daar, Executive Director of ESO. According to the Oman Electricity Transmission Company, 20000Kwh of energy was saved during Earth Hour in Oman. The control office at the Muscat Distribution Company said this quantum of energy can sufficiently power an area like Al Khuwair for one hour or, more precisely, can provide electricity to 2000-2500 average Omani households for one hour.
The ESO distributed awareness brochures printed on recycled paper sponsored by Special Technical Services LLC (STS) and Muscat Pharmacy & Stores LLC to 14 public and private schools in the Sultanate. Teachers conveyed the messages to students that informed them of simple methods that they can help save energy. Similar messages were also distributed at Ministries, companies and NGOs that circulated the same to their staff.
Messages were also announced in publications and on the radio through Apex Press and Publishing, Hi FM and Sultanate of Oman Radio that helped ESO reach out to the general public. “Individuals could realise that combined efforts can make a difference” says Dima Radwan, Community Outreach and Education Manager, ESO.
ESO is a non-profit organisation founded in 2004 by Omanis representing different regions and many different professional backgrounds.
ESO’s mission is to raise awareness through educational and outreach activities on environmental issues, foster co-operation between government, NGO’s and the private sector to promote conservation of Oman’s human and natural environment; as well as to carry out field research in order to help provide the necessary information for conservation initiatives.
ESO is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and represents environmental organisations of west Asia at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
