World Wildlife Fund (WWF) -Pakistan late on Saturday joined 184 nations around the world in celebrations marking the tenth 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 shining a light on a climate change.
In accordance with the true spirit of the event, lights of all important buildings in the federal capital were dimmed at 8:30pm. These included the Parliament house building, the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Election Commission of Pakistan, Cabinet division building, Convention centre, the Pakistan monument, Damn e Koh, Constituion avenue, Jinnah avenue, 7th and 9th Avenue, and Faisal Mosque, providing a powerful visual backdrop in support of Earth Hour 2017.
A ceremony was organised by WWF-Pakistan in collaboration with Bestway Cement Limited, at the Parliament house building in Islamabad to officially launch Earth Hour 2017 in Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion, WWF-Pakistan Programmes Senior Director Rab Nawaz said that, “Local efforts such as Earth Hour being celebrated in the Parliament house building show our united commitment to being good stewards of our environment. It’s up to us to maintain the momentum for action against climate change. The federal and provincial governments, cities, corporations, and citizens now need to pick up the mantle of leadership on climate change. It’s a now or never type of a situation for us.”
Those present on the occasion showing support included Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, Ministry of Climate Change Secretary Syed Abu Ahmad Akif, Bestway Cement Limited (BCL) Director Nasir Mehmood Afzal, , Senior Court Associate Nasir Mehmood Raja, globally renowned mountaineer Nazir Sabir, and European Union Development Advisor Imran Ashraf, along with other foreign dignitaries. BCL showed its commitment of going beyond the hour and collaborated with WWF-Pakistan in planting 3,000 indigenous tree saplings in Islamabad, Taxila, and Hattar.
WWF-Pakistan Director General Hammad Naqi Khan in his message for Earth Hour 2017 optimistically mentioned that the country had embraced the true essence of the movement. “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.”
In Karachi, WWF-Pakistan in collaboration with the Engro Foundation, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), K-Electric and Crescent Steel, observed Earth Hour at Frere Hall. Participants of the event included, Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar, former environment minister Shaikh Muhammad Afzal, Sindh Environmental Protection Agency DG Naeem Ahmed Mughal, and other senior officials of organisations partnering with WWF-Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar said that it was high time to act against the adverse impacts of climate change and promote alternative energy options in country. He said that although Earth faces serious climate change threats including sea level rise, increase in temperature, melting of glaciers, heavy floods, and widespread rainfalls, these could be addressed if industrialized countries take practical measures for reducing greenhouse gases and adapt environmental sustainable practices. He said that there was also need for efforts for conservation of water and energy resources at the local level.
In Peshawar, WWF-Pakistan’s goodwill ambassadors, Khumariyaan the band, took the opportunity to spread awareness about climate change in an event organised at the Ladies Club, University Town, by the city district government. They engaged the audience with Earth Hour messages in an impactful and meaningful way.
In Lahore, WWF-Pakistan in collaboration with Emporium Mall celebrated Earth Hour with hundreds of participants. Emporium Mall Head of Marketing and Leasing Ahmed Khan, said that “In line with the best sustainable practices, Emporium Mall is pleased to celebrate Earth Hour 2017 with WWF-Pakistan. The mall has considered a wide range of sustainability features to reduce its environmental impact something which resonates well with WWF-Pakistan’s mission.”
As part of Earth Hour, people, cities and businesses around the world switched off their lights for one hour to draw attention to the urgent need to step up our fight against climate change. 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.
2017 marks the tenth anniversary of Earth Hour which started as a symbolic event in Sydney in 2007. Today, it is the world’s largest grassroots 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 defense. 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.
