Global initiative: Lahore landmarks go dark to mark Earth Hour

830 businesses and public buildings switched off lights.

The Earth Hour was observed in the city on Saturday. Lights were turned off at 830 businesses and landmarks, including the Wapda House, the Punjab Assembly, the Badshahi Mosque and the Minar-i-Pakistan, from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.

World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan) organised an event at Qarshi University to highlight the event.

Students of the university performed a skit to explain concepts like global warming and energy conservation. The students said they had submitted their assignments via Facebook rather than providing printed copies. Students from the Environmental Society of Message Grammar School talked about the role they could play in conserving energy. Short videos made by Qarshi University students were screened.

Students of several schools and universities pledged to save the planet by cutting the use of energy resources. This would also help the country overcome its energy crisis, they said.

In a special message, WWF-Pakistan Director General Hammad Naqi Khan said Pakistan was among the top 10 countries affected by climate change. “This environmental challenge can have a serious impact on our economy. Switching off lights for one hour is a symbolic gesture. Everyone should pledge to take action to reduce their carbon footprint, conserve nature and protect the environment,” he said.

Iqbal Ahmed Qarshi, the Qarshi Industries (Private) Limited CEO, called for more efforts to combat climate change.

Earth Hour ambassadors Ali Noor, Ayesha Omar and Hamza Ali Abbasi were also present at the event to judge the performances by the students. Talking to The Express Tribune, Ali Noor said he was taken to play his role in saving the earth.

“Everyone needs to do their bit when it comes to a task as large as saving the earth,” said Ayesha Omar.

She said the mindset that people could not do anything needed to be changed. “We all need to look at our own space and actions and see what we need to change,” she said. Abbasi said that people need to realise that climate change was a big issue.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2015.