A hundred and seventy countries, including Pakistan, will observe the 10th Earth Hour 2017 on March 25 (today), between 8.30 to 9.30pm local time, and participate in the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) effort to show global commitment to the planet.

Each year, businesses and landmarks set aside an hour to switch off non-essential lights and observe Earth Hour in an effort to advocate action for climate change.

WWF-Pakistan will hold special events to commemorate Earth Hour at National Assembly, Islamabad, Frere Hall, Karachi and Emporium Mall, Lahore.

Over 60 educational institutions and 73 retail outlets have pledged to participate in Earth Hour events all over the country.

Non-essential lights in 40 landmark buildings in Karachi, including the Chief Minister House, Mazar-e-Quiad, Karachi Airport and Expo Centre will be turned off to observe Earth Hour between 8:30 and 9:30 PM.

Karachi's electricity utility company has partnered with WWF-Pakistan to spread awareness for climate change.

A private company has also joined hands with WWF to plant at least 3,000 indigenous saplings at educational institutes all over Islamabad, Taxila and Hattar.

“Back in 2010, WWF-Pakistan started celebrating Earth Hour and joined the global call for action against climate. Today, we feel proud that people across the country recognise and relate to the symbolic gesture of switching off unnecessary lights during Earth hour,” WWF-Pakistan's director general, Hammad Naqi Khan, said.

“Taking part in campaigns like Earth Hour highlights the dramatic changes occurring around the world and presses us to take action, both individually and as a society, to safeguard our collective interest — to safeguard the world,” Khan concluded, inviting people all over Pakistan to observe earth hour and become part of the global campaign.

WWF-Pakistan has invited citizens to observe Earth Hour on an individual level, by turning off all non-essential lights and electronic equipment between 8:30 and 9:30 PM tonight, or become part of one of the many events happening all over Pakistan to become part of the movement for climate change awareness.

Apart from Earth Hour events hosted all over the world, WWF has set up a three-step call to action for citizens all over the world, as a part of their effort to take part in Earth Hour activities:

• Switch off extra lights, because this not only saves power but helps conserve water as well.

• Plant an indigenous tree. Avoid exotic species which don’t help our ecosystem. Indigenous species are attuned to our soil type, help clean our air and provide a home to our bird species.

• Say no to plastic bags. Plastics are a major chunk of our solid waste and pose a threat to our wildlife as well.