ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday urged citizens across Pakistan to participate in the global ‘Earth Hour’ by switching off non-essential lights for one hour, stressing that collective action is vital to combat climate change and secure a sustainable future for coming generations.
Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the event is held annually on the last Saturday of March to encourage individuals, communities and businesses to give an hour for Earth, marked by landmarks and businesses switching off non-essential lights from 830pm to 930pm to promote a sustainable, net-zero future.
Pakistan ranks among nations most vulnerable to climate change and has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns that have led to frequent heatwaves, untimely rains, storms, cyclones, floods and droughts in recent years. In 2022, monsoon floods killed over 1,700 people, displaced another 33 million and caused over $30 billion losses, while another 1,037 people were killed in floods last year.
In his message on Saturday, PM Sharif said Earth Hour reminds them that protecting the planet is a common and key responsibility of everyone, appealing to the nation to turn off unnecessary lights or use them to a minimum between 830pm and 930pm.
“Earth Hour is not just a symbolic movement, but it is a global moment of reflection that provides an opportunity for renewed commitment for a sustainable and resilient environmental future,” he said.
“The cumulative effect of such conscious actions leads to a major positive social change. The decisions we make today to address climate change and environmental degradation will determine the future of generations to come.”
This year, Earth Hour is being celebrated under the theme of ‘Give an Hour for Earth,’ which aims to create awareness about environmental protection, efficient use of energy and climate change.
“As human beings, we need to reflect on whether our ways of living are in balance with the limits of our planet. The pressures we place on natural systems are steadily reducing the space in which life can sustain itself,” Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said in a separate statement.
“This calls for a more careful approach to development. Our systems of energy generation and use, patterns of consumption, and agricultural and industrial production must remain within the capacity of the environment to support them.”
He noted that Pakistan’s share of global greenhouse gas emissions is less than one percent, yet it remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate change.
“Recent floods, recurring heatwaves and periods of drought have shown how serious these challenges have become. Farmers face increasing uncertainty due to changing rainfall patterns that affect crops and livelihoods,” Zardari said.
“In many cities, rising temperatures place additional strain on electricity systems and make daily life more difficult during the summer months. Water availability in several regions has become less predictable, while floods have damaged homes, roads and farmland.”
He encouraged all Pakistanis to switch off non-essential lights for an hour in the evening on March 28 to reflect on how they can conserve energy, protect environment and support efforts that promote sustainable living.
