Earth Hour

I will support this.. been doing this in my country

I will be supporting

"Why isn't Qatar investing their massive wealth into researching adn developing more sustainable energy practices?"

Are you not paying attention or you to busy moralizing and talking down to Arabs?

Qatar has the largest concentration of LEED certified buildings in the world, as I pointed out in my post above. Also we are committed to a carbon neutral wc. We hosts international summits on green investments and techs and invests billion of dollars in green tech initiatives and research in the region yearly. In fact, last year QIA invested nearly 300 million Euros in a clean-tech fund in the UK to promote and develop renewable energy initiatives. Qatar also routinely buys large stakes in renewable energy firms around the globe.

So . . . my point is that you clearly have no idea what you are talking about. You read some ignorant, misrepresentative statistic on poster and then begin to preach to us like some crusader on a mission to civilize us. Get your facts straight next time.

Sure, everyone can do better to promote cleaner world, but Qatar is doing a great deal already and should be applauded not attacked.

I'm saying each individual, no matter where they're from or where they live, have a responsibility for this. Whether it was our grandparents or another nation who got us in this mess doesn't matter: the fact is we're in it, and it's all of our jobs to step up and make changes, to clean up the mess of others so our children won't have to.

And in Qatar there does need to be a push, an awareness campaign, new fees, new laws, SOMETHIGN to curb the culture of overusage. It's not 'bashing' to say that Qatar overconsumes: it's a well known fact that countries in the GCC including Qatar do indulgence and over the top better tahn anyone. I'm not saying one country is better tahn another-- don't put words in my mouth. I'm saying other countries have done more to get their population to take responsibility, when their usage was far far far less than Qatar's. Qatar should follow their example and use it as a jumping off point to become a leader in this area.

Stop reading Qatar hate into every little critism of Qatar. Someone doth protest too much.

So Qatar is the reason why the world is running out of energy? LOOOOOOOL OMG so much bigtory towards Qatar on this site.

when you are suggesting something like this, you want the Qatar to give in to your wish as if you are running the state affair. Are you sure they are not having such programs for alternatives?

But do you also know the politics of balancing yourself between your authority and the people you serve? That's what happening here. You can't change the nature of people here abruptly but gradually without risking losing control of the local population.

What they do discreetly (although they have their vision or mission within the next 20 years), as what they want, they have no obligation to the outside world to tell everything.

The way you talk, you project Qatar as irresponsible for the current situation in the world which WHO started these mess we are in? Isn't it the INDUSTRIALIZED nations started this polluting our environment.

Your strategy of Qatar bashing will not help as it seems you as a Westerner are the only responsible people in this planet and Qatar is a non-cooperative nation of this world. YOUR world had been wasting energy for a LONG LONG TIME that is why we are in this mess and your way of talking here is purely to bash this nation.

so, what, 2020, individuals in Qatar should just do nothing?

Why isn't Qatar investing their massive wealth into researching adn developing more sustainable energy practices? that is what i meant. yes there are flaws to existing technologies, but qatar has the ability to throw loads of resources into fixing those flaws and developing better ways of harvesting and exporting energy. I think that would be a MUCH better use of national funds and time than bidding for yet another international sporting event, where the rest of the world will either see it as a joke or question if Qatar bought the bid etc.

Again, just because you feel a portion of energy usage is justified, it doesn't mean that the massive wastage that goes on day in day out by individuals in this country is ok. Using dramatic advertising campaigns like this draws attention to the issue, and will, hopefully, spur more concerned indivduals than yourself to action.

qwerty--nothing wrong with 'giving a hoot' about the environment, but basing the campaign on misrepresentations and false information is hardly the way to go about it.

So long as Qatar is heavily involved in oil and gas it will be a major energy user because it takes so much energy to run these industries. Now way around it. If you want to set reasonable goals, then go for it.

How can Qatar become the next big supplier of sustainable energy? Ridiculous. You can't export wind power due to degradation, and China and India will always make cheaper solar panels. What planet are you from? Sure Qatar already does much in building green buildings and will soon have one of the highest concentration of LEED rated buildings in the world.

You can stand by your statement as much as you want, but you clearly have not a clue what you are talking about. Qatar's best chance is to diversify its oil wealth by investing in other companies and properties. By the time the lng runs out, enough dividends will be made from the other investments. Or haven't you been paying attention to the national strategy?

First, asking everyone-- national and expat alike-- in Qatar to give a hoot about the environment has absolutely nothing to do, at all, with any of the debates about alchol, or dress, or any of the other cultural issues. Don't muddy the waters.

And 2020-- who the heck CARES if other countries are 'worse' or 'better' than Qatar? the fact is Qatar can improve, and must. It's EVERYONE"S responsibility, and saying someone else uses more isn't an excuse not to change your habits.

And I stand by my statement: moving to sustainable energy could set Qatar up as the next big supplier-- the oil and gas WILL run out eventually, and just imagine if Qatar had a well established sustainable energy program, just waiting to fill the gap? other countries are looking into this but lack the resources for the inital set up: Qatar does not have this problem. And we have an abundance of wind and sun, and an established energy producing sector that could be repurposed, at least in part, to sustainable projects.

scurry away now wee troll

so that scenario is unlikely.

No expatriates and Qatar would be a pretty empty country!! lol

No expatriates and Qatar would be a pretty empty country!! lol

and then come back here!

qwerty--the per capita figure on the poster DOES include the substantial amount of energy used in oil and gas industry. If that is deducted, per capital usage in Qatar is less than in the U.S. or Canada.

"i think transition over to solar and wind power would be as good for the economy of Qatar as when they started doing the natural gas as well as oil."

What a crazy statement. The day that happens is the day Qatar goes bankrupt and all you expats are sent packing.

and wish and wish!

We keep asking Qatar to do it's share but when they asked us to do our share by refraining from alcohol, we have all the reasons to object. Ehhhh, one way???????????

every day I participate

No, qwertyness, they need the skill!

Anywhere else, i'd agree with you Doha Knight. But Qatar has the money to make a dramatic change, quickly-- heck, they have the money ON HAND. What they need is the will!

shallownation, Sooner the better but Qatar's natural gas deposits would last for more than 45 years. It has to be a gradual change to make the renewables viable which also depends on the upgrade of technology with regard to solar cell efficiency and deep cycle batteries to store energy.

Qatar has plenty of dune-sand and thus a lot of silicon dioxide to make silicon. Power is cheap as is asian labour. What does a country need to start making solar panels for the world and itself at a competetive price. If Germany can do it, why can't Qatar?

Aspure tower is a hotel now so they won't do it I like the poster u posted it should be in newspaper it will increase the awarness

i think transition over to solar and wind power would be as good for the economy of Qatar as when they started doing the natural gas as well as oil. AND they are sustainable resources! A lot of other countries say they can't dive into such projects because of the inital cost etc etc, bt that shouldn't be a problem for one of the wealthiest countries on the planet. Qatar is trying to set itself up as a leader: I personally think they could really make a splash by throwing themselves into solar or wind projects, showing that they ARE progressive, they ARE able to accomplish something really special,a dn they do care about the rest of the world.

I think doing something like that would maybe do more to raise the countries international profile than, say, yet another olympic bid :P

qwertyness, Its also required to take steps to work on solar and wind, which are in plenty here, to have a seamless transition from oil and gas based economy to manufacturing and trading based one in the next 30 years.

Aspire or Tornado Tower maybe?

Westbay would be cool or corniche street lights

Here here, Doha Knight!

About a year back it was declared that Qatar had the highest per capita carbon footprint in the world. Lifestyle of locals is rather extravagant here when it comes to wasting energy. So, its all the more important to raise awareness on how to save energy.

However, just by observing earth hour for one day of the year is not going to change anything. What's required is to ration energy to every household and individual irrespective of their/his purchasing power.

shallownation: we must stop feeding the trolls. They only grow bigger and more obnoxious :P

Earth Hour raises awareness of sustainability issues. But there’s more to it than switching off lights for one hour once a year. It’s about giving people a voice and working together to create a better future for our planet. -WWF

click the link below...

http://www.worldwildlife.org/sites/earthhour/index.html

Lol nomerci and land cruiser blowing up there enginess

Max I hope! It would be neat if West Bay went dark for an hour, wouldn't it? It's something we should be doing all the time, but a yearly reminder never hurt anyone.

as for 2020. . . if you look at the above, it's for each individual, NOT for the oil and gas industry. Qatar DOES have incredibly high private usage, and it's clear to see: people leaving their AC on when they're not home, not turning lights off when they leave a room, massive water consumption in a desert country, and absolutely no recycling or compost programs in the entire country. Not to mention the huge litering problem, something MOST developed countries started dealing with decades ago (driven out to the desert lately? It's disgusting how people just leave loads of trash behind, and it's the same in the park: I've seen parents throw their garbage on the ground in front of their kids). Events like this help educate people about how individuals can help. . . and not just hide their heads in the sand and blame industry and cry discrimination if someone points out they may actually have a problem.

2020 I think qwerty is just saying we should b aware of the energy use and it effects to our envorment so we can all work together for better future regardless of nationality and country

max, yah, massive fireworks on the Corniche :P

Ya sounds cool do u think Qatar government will do something for earth hour?

The primary reason for the high energy usage in Qatar is due to the energy used by the oil and gas sector to extract and produce the oil and gas. Once this is taken into account, the carbon emissions per capita is remarkably lower than this inflammatory poster suggests.

Are you suggesting that Qatar halt its petroleum industry? That is the only genuine way to get Qatar in line with natural per capita averages.

I agree Max that we should practice it in our everyday lives, but I like this event as a reminder for those that don't. It's also dramatic enough (people all over the world do it, major landmarks go black, it's cool) to grab the attention of people who are uneducated or don't care. . . perhaps like certain trolls on QL? :P

This event is useless we should practice it on our day to day routine and switch off unwanted lights and electronics

So let me get this straight. . .

Since Qatar produces a large amount of oil . . . people in Qatar are free to use as much of it as they like, to waste as much power and water as they like, and produce as much pollution and waste as they please, with no regard for the rest of the planet?

qwerty--then my suggestion, as I have said above, is that countries should not use more energy than they produce. Just like countries should spend more money than they produce. That would be another solution to the environmental problem you have raised.

No I won't participate. As I am aware of the problem, I do not need to participate in a totally useless exercise that won't change a thing.

Just because other countries are bigger polluters does not mean that Qatar should ignore environment issues or movements.

What's more: per capita, Qatar is one of the biggest energy users. It might not have a massive population, but as the above graphic shows, the planet is lucky it doesn't. THAT'S a bigger issue, and one that awareness campaigns like Earth Hour can actually do something about.

I'm not hijacking. I am objecting to the OP and I am defending my position, which you disagree with.

And tiny Qatar's energy use is not what is destroying the planet. We must look to China and North AMerica for that.

If they want to have cars that are slowly destroying the planet everyone, regardless of nationality, has to live on, you should.

It's got nothing to do with nationality dude. stop hijacking.

I disagree qwerty. To me wealth is wealth, whether it is black gold or simply gold. And countries have a right to spend the wealth that they produce. If the US makes money for manufacturing cares, I not criticize its citizens for having cars.

Um, it's human beings prefering not to choke to death on smog, thanks.

It's about responsibility to the planet: I'm not getting into a debate with you about wealth or who spends what or how. This thread was a post about an environmental event for a cause we should all care about, regardless of nationality: after all, if global warming melts the ice caps and sends the globe into a tail spin, it's not going to matter what country you're from, and all the money in the world will not matter a cent.

Also: Qatar produces for export. their wealth comes from exporting their oil all over the world: it's not a carte blanche to use MORE. In fact, being one of the biggest produces, Qatar would be in a really good position to advocate responsible uses of nonrenewable resources like natural gas and oil: after all, they want that money train to keep rolling as long as possible, right? Saying because they produce it, people in Qatar are allowed to gobble up resources with nary a thought to the consequences is like saying because someone grows apples, they can eat all they want and it won't effect them long term.

qwerty--The U.S. and Canada have more wealth so they think it ok to spend more wealth. Wealth in Qatar is petroleum. Why should it not spend more of ITS wealth? Sounds like more Western moralizing to the rest of the world to me.

I do it everyday. I turn off the lights and electronics etc that I don't need.

Oh for pete's sake. . . this is the local chapter of an international event. OF COURSE they'd use local stats to raise awareness and promote the cause LOCALLY!!!! Jeez. What do you guys do, just roam around nit picking anything remotely critical about this country?

Also 2020, that's an incredibly isolationist attitude. Just because they produce more DOES NOT mean they have a right to use more, and thus produce more pollution and waste. The pollution and waste doesn't just stay in your own borders you know, and the ozone layer doesn't particularly care which country is using what when holes develop.

Yes. Why Qatar as the example.

Latest stats say Virgin Islands, Singapore, Netherlands, etc. are all higher. Qatar's national rank is 68th. Besides, Qatar produces far more than it uses. Countries should focus on using no more than they produce. It's like attacking wealthy countries for spending their money.

Qatar is now famous for many things so everybody is linking everything with Qatar!

But y Qatar?

Im in!

Khanan-- power companies and providers do track consumption. They used these figures to help raise awareness: you've got to admit, it's a shocking tally and effective!

i will off all the lights for one hour and comb my hairs....:)

why being Qatar target here in the add?

how they come up with this figure?

Someone should sign to Koyoto protocol first???

Qwerty..turning my lights off for one hour and sitting in darkness (or i could enjoy a candle light dinner) will help the world save energy? That too on one day of the year? :P

???

Smoke-- go to the facebook page, but basically on March 31 at 8pm people around the globe turn their lights and other electronic gadgets off for one hour. It's to make people aware of the power they waste.

I did yesterday and I will do it tomorrow and day after.

ahhhhhhhhh..

I do it also...

ok

What are we going to do?

We always do this every year no matter where we are living!

We do every time!