IKEA stores in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran switched off their non-essential lights - like outside sign and parking spotlight ?- in support of Earth Hour last March. Earth Hour is a global World Wildlife Fund (WWF) climate change initiative. Individuals, businesses, governments and communities were invited to turn their lights off for one hour all at the same time to show their support for global action on climate change. The event began in Sydney in 2007, when 2 million people switched off their lights. In 2008, more than 50 million people around the globe participated. Last year about 1 billion people from more 4,000 cities and towns across 88 countries switched off their lights for one hour. Global landmarks that participated last year were London's Big Ben, the Sydney Opera House and the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. More than 100 countries participated this year. IKEA offers home furnishings with good design and function at low affordable prices. IKEA incorporates environmentally friendly efforts into day-to-day business on a global level, and continually supports initiatives that benefit the environment and our children in the future. IKEA was founded in Sweden in 1943 and there are currently 271 IKEA stores in 25 countries of which most participated in Earth Hour including Saudi Arabia. There are over 123,000 co-workers and 525 million visitors to IKEA all around the world where IKEA feels they can make a great impact by raising awareness of the possibilities that we all must change to make the environment a better place. IKEA and the WWF have cooperated on a global level since 2002 toward a decreased ecological footprint by promoting responsible and sustainable use of resources. Today the partnership includes projects on forestry, climate and sustainable cotton production on three continents.
