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Tuesday March 19, 2024

Karachi switches off lights to mark Earth Hour

By M. Waqar Bhatti
March 25, 2018

By switching off lights at landmarks and important government and historical buildings across the country at 8:30pm on Saturday, Pakistan joined 184 nations around the world in celebrations marking the eleventh edition of Earth Hour — the movement’s biggest edition yet — in a global moment of solidarity for climate change.

Landmarks across the country switched off their lights and joined WWF-Pakistan’s call to stand with millions of people to connect to Earth to combat climate change and protect our biodiversity and nature.

Along with support from other provincial assemblies, the Sindh Assembly also pledged its support for Earth Hour and to take initiatives to address the issues of climate change and biodiversity loss. A notification on the ban of plastic bags was issued only a few days earlier by the home department and is in step with the three pledges for Earth Hour that WWF-Pakistan is asking individuals to take. A number of monuments that switched off lights in Karachi included the Frere Hall and the Sindh Assembly.

As part of Earth Hour, people, cities and businesses around the world turned off their lights for one hour to draw attention to the urgent need to step up the fight against climate change and protection of biodiversity.

With the historic Paris Agreement on climate change now in full force, there’s never been a more crucial time to hold leaders accountable and show strong public support for efforts to stem climate change.

From the Eiffel Tower to Taipei 101 and the Empire State Building to the Acropolis, thousands of landmarks switched off their lights in solidarity as individuals, communities and organisations worldwide delivered on their potential to help change climate change, the planet’s biggest environmental challenge yet.

Dr Babar Khan, regional director of Sindh and Balochistan, WWF-Pakistan, in his message on Earth Day, said that the country had embraced the true essence of the Earth Hour movement in 2018.

“We have come a long way since 2010, when WWF-Pakistan first celebrated Earth Hour. The seed we sowed has taken root and the masses today are comparatively well aware of the climatic changes around us. If we take a look into our past we would understand that movements have shaped our lives — movements matter — and the Earth Hour movement will shape our future. It is a constant reminder that we should lead towards the transformation of a more prosperous and renewable future.”

Asma Ezdi, head of Communications and Marketing, WWF-Pakistan, said Pakistan was among the top 10 countries affected by climate change and this environmental challenge was already impacting our economy severely.

“On this Earth Hour, by joining WWF, millions of people around the world have shown their commitment for the planet. Switching off all unnecessary lights for one hour on Saturday, March 24, is a symbolic gesture. All of us should pledge to take action in our capacity as an individual, business and policy and decision-maker to reduce our footprint, save nature and protect the environment.”

The year 2018 marks the eleventh anniversary of Earth Hour, which started as a symbolic event in Sydney in 2007. Today, it is the world’s largest grass roots movement for the environment, ensuring that people who are on the frontlines of climate change, are also empowered to be the planet’s first line of defence.

The one-hour event continues to remain the key driver of the movement encouraging individuals, communities, households and businesses to turn off non-essential lights as a symbol for their commitment to the planet.