Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Mushahidullah Khan participated in earth hour as chief guest being celebrated by Ministry of Climate Change with the collaboration of WWF on Saturday 8:30 PM local time at Parliament house. Ministry of Climate Change with WWF-Pakistan joined 184 nations around the world in celebrations marking the ninth 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 to connect to Earth to combat climate change and protect our biodiversity and nature. Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Climate Change MushahidUllah Khan said that it is high time to act against the adverse impacts of climate change and promote alternative energy options in the country. He said that although Earth is facing serious climate change threats including sea level rise, increase in temperature, melting of glaciers, heavy floods and widespread rainfalls these can be addressed if industrialized countries take practical measures to reduce greenhouse gases and adapt environmental sustainable practices. He urged that there is also a need to take efforts for conservation of water and energy resources at the local level. Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change MNA Romina Khursheed Alam also said at the occasion that we need to work together to safe energy and move towards renewable energy resources to make our country environment friendly. Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General WWF-Pakistan, in his message for Earth Hour 2018 optimistically mentioned that the country has 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.” Rab Nawaz, Senior Director Programmes, WWF-Pakistan, said, “Local efforts such as Earth Hour being celebrated in the National Assembly shows 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 government and all provincial governments; cities; corporates and the people of Pakistan now need to pick up the mantle of leadership on climate change. It’s a now or never type of a situation for us The event in Islamabad, organized by Ministry of Climate Change with the collaboration of WWF-Pakistan was celebrated with parliamentarians, government personnel, officials of Wildlife department, corporate partners and students from less privileged schools, in the front lawn of Parliament House. Earth Hour was rejoiced by lighting candles and screening WWF Earth Hour short documentary. Hundreds of students and educationists from across the country also vowed to Connect2Earth, the theme for Earth Hour this year. 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 the fight against climate change and protection of biodiversity. 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. In the capital city of Pakistan, landmarks which switched off lights included National Assembly of Pakistan, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Shah Faisal Mosque, Pakistan National Monument, Convention Centre, Pak-China Friendship Centre, Damn e Koh, Lake View Park, 7th and 9th Avenues, etc.. The year 2018 marks the eleventh 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 defence. 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. Earth Hour events were also celebrated at WWF-Pakistan’s Bahawalpur and Khanewal office as well as Faisalabad in Punjab where students, families and corporate members participated. In other parts of the country, events were organized in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Nathiagali, Gilgit, and Sukkur. *-*-*-*-*
PREVIOUS NEXT
