'Earth Hour' being observed in Pakistan today

Dunya News

The homes, offices and other buildings will go dark to mark Earth Hour from 8.30pm to 9.30pm (PST).

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News / APP) – World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF- Pakistan) here on Saturday will observe Earth Hour with a ceremony of lighting the candles to show their commitment to saving the planet in Islamabad.

The homes, offices and other buildings will go dark to mark Earth Hour from 8.30pm to 9.30pm in Pakistan with the theme ‘ChangeClimateChange’. This will be the seventh year WWF-Pakistan will be spearheading Earth Hour celebrations in the c.

In connection with the event, Chief Minister of Punjab (CM) Shahbaz Sharif stated that the purpose of celebrating Earth Hour is to raise awareness of global issues caused by environmental pollution.

He said that increasing temperature is not only alarming but has also turned into a serious issue. He said that Earth Hour has done much to raise awareness about the importance of individual contribution towards environmental sustainability.

The minister directed the authorities to take positive steps for the elimination of ecological disruption and pollution.

In a message, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said the world is experiencing diverse impacts of climate change and it is important to empower people to become part of climate change initiatives.

He remarked that in pursuant of reducing emissions, the parliament of Pakistan became the first ever parliament completely powered by solar energy.

Singapore first observed this World Wildlife Fund (WWF) initiative in 2009, and participation has grown over the years.

About 9,000 people took part in WWF s Earth Hour celebrations in 2014, up from 6,000 in 2012.

Last year, more than 1.8 billion people in over 172 countries and territories and 7,000 cities worldwide celebrated Earth Hour. In Pakistan, more than 500 landmarks celebrated earth hour by switching off their lights.

Earth Hour is being observed online too. With the Donate Your Social Power app, Facebook users can share information about the effects of climate change.