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It's time to switch on to saving the planet this coming weekend by turning off the lights in a nationwide show of support to the Earth Hour movement, writes Asma Salman.
Some of the leading hotels in the kingdom will be plunged into darkness for 60 minutes at 8.30pm on Saturday.
Along with the 'lights-off' message, musical concerts, entertainment programmes, poster competitions and awareness talks will be the order of the night to highlight the significance of climate change and the degradation of the planet's natural environment.
Leila Rajkumar, public relations manager of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Bahrain, and a spokesman for Thirst Quenchers - a multi-cultural group of young volunteers - said: "This is the second year that Thirst Quenchers members have planned a programme supporting Earth Hour which will be held at the Gulf Hotel poolside with support from Coca-Cola Bottling Company, its Middle East business unit and Gulf Hotel.
"They will convey the message of saving the environment through entertainment that will feature a dance about the environment, skits about the abuse of electricity, a quiz and concert by Gemini 7, the Thirst Quencher band. When young people convey a message then members of the younger generation listen ... and that is what we are aiming for."
Earth Hour is globally organised by the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) and the movement started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, when 2.2 million homes and businesses turned their lights off for one hour to make their stand against climate change. And, only a year later, Earth Hour became a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating.
Bahrain's Moevenpick Hotel will also power-down to stress the importance of global warming as will the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel in Manama.
Alex Willats, the Diplomat's executive assistant manager, said: "Just prior to the synchronised power shut down, a balloon release using special biodegradable balloons will take place. All children will be invited to attach their own message and thoughts on how to combat Global Warming so that these messages of hope spread far and wide."
A buffet along with entertainment by Krazy Kevin will take place at the Diplomat's poolside as part of the campaign.
