Earth Hour 2014 An hour in the dark for a brighter future

Celebrities pledge to turn out their lights this year in honour of the Earth Hour initiative.

LAHORE: Earth Hour 2014 will be celebrated globally this year on March 29, between 8:30pm and 9:30pm. Earth Hour is not about conserving one hour of energy, it’s a chance to revamp a lifestyle. It’s about a responsibility to our planet and human race.

By switching off the lights, you can switch on a better future for our forthcoming generations. Earth hour is the need of the hour. By the voluntary act of switching off lights, we can ensure reduction of involuntary power cuts in Pakistan. This one hour can perhaps, affect how you spend the remaining 8759 hours in the year. Keeping in mind the importance of this issue, Pakistani celebrities have pledged to turn off their light bulbs this Earth Hour, in order to inspire their fans to follow in this great noble cause. Let us stand together to make our world sustainable, for ourelves as well as our future generations.

Ahsan Khan



Actor

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Khan says, “Earth Hour is a simple concept with a big meaning. All you have to do is switch your lights off at 8:30pm for an hour on March 29, and show that you care about our world. I enjoy the outdoors all the time when I work, and I like to think that our beautiful planet will stay as special as it is now, in years to come. To know that I can help make a difference by taking greener steps into the future, I will switch off along with millions across the planet. Please do the same.”

Zoe Viccaji



Singer and Model

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Viccaji says, “Climate change is already affecting people and wildlife all over the world, as well as right here in Pakistan. Earth Hour gives us all the chance to stand up and show we care about one of the biggest threats to the world. Water and energy conservation is a cause that affects every Pakistani’s life everyday. I think we should all show world leaders that something needs be done to tackle climate change now. Earth Hour is the best platform for that.

I started saying ‘no’ to printing emails and wasting paper, and have held true to the promise. Think of our decreasing forests, and the fact that millions of trees are cut each year not just in Pakistan, but internationally, in order to make paper. Everyone can pitch in and make small changes like this in their lives to help bring about bigger change,” she adds.

Feryal Gauhar



Actor and Activist

Gauhar says, “I’ve always been passionate about the environment, and it’s great to see Earth Hour continuing to inspire people around the globe. I have supported WWF for a long time, and I am always trying to help people be greener within their homes. This is such a simple idea: just switch off your lights on March 29. Whether you spend it celebrating with friends or family over dinner, or reading a good book by candlelight, you’re just a flick of a switch away from joining hundreds of millions of people reflecting on our planet and taking action to protect it.”

Humaima Malik



Actor

“Earth Hour is an opportunity to come together to support a cause for the greater good of our planet and humanity. A moment to feel grateful for life-giving trees, the air we breathe, the food and water that nourish us, and the beauty of mother nature. I hope Earth Hour inspires us to consider and integrate sustainable ways of living that respect our earth. This year on March 29 between 8:30pm and 9:30pm, I am determined to mark the beginning of a new lifestyle that will support energy conservation. I will continue supporting planet earth. It is not only about one hour. It starts from this one hour.”

Sarmad Sultan Khoosat



Actor and Auteur

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Khoosat says, “Earth Hour has inspired hundreds of millions of people around the globe to protect our planet. It’s a powerful but simple idea — turning your lights off for one hour in a huge, symbolic show of support. It’s also your chance to take action — so whether you stay in with the family, have your friends round for dinner or organise a celebration as the lights go out on March 29, I hope you’re inspired to join me in taking some quick and simple steps that help reduce your environmental impact. As for me, I have pledged to cut out the biggest villain the planet faces today: plastic. Plastic bags, in particular, are everywhere, are non-biodegradable and will be around longer than we will be. They don’t just go away. I have pledged to not use plastic bags in my home and I urge people to do the same. There is nothing quite like a reusable cloth bag or a classic tokri for your groceries!”

Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature. It’s not only about energy, it’s about shaping the future and making the Earth a better place to live.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20^th, 2014.

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