LAHORE: The World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan) joined 184 nations on Saturday at 8:30pm to mark the Earth Hour.

Several landmarks across the country, including Lahore, switched off their lights and joined WWF-Pakistan’s call to stand with millions of people to combat climate change and protect biodiversity and nature, stated a press release.

The event in Lahore, organised for the ninth time at WWF-Pakistan’s head office and hosted by RJ Sophie, included a live concert by percussionists Quadrum and underground band Space Cassette, candle lighting and releasing sky lanterns.

As part of Earth Hour, individuals and businesses switched off their lights for an hour to draw attention to the need to step up the fight against climate change and protect biodiversity.

In Lahore, the landmarks that switched off lights included deputy commissioner’s office, local hotels, Wapda House, Water and Sanitation Agency, Lahore Electric Supply Company, Wazir Khan Mosque, Hazoori Bagh, Trail Delhi Gate, Parks and Horticultural Authority and Lahore Development Authority Complex among others.

Asma Ezdi, head of communications and marketing at WWF-Pakistan, said: “Pakistan is among the top 10 countries affected by climate change and this environmental challenge is already impacting our economy severely. On this Earth Hour, by joining WWF millions of people around the world have shown their commitment for the planet. Switching off all unnecessary lights for one hour on Saturday, March 24 is a symbolic gesture. All of us should pledge to take action in our capacity as an individual, business and policy and decision-maker to reduce our footprint, save nature and protect the environment.”

Dr Uzma Khan, WWF-Pakistan technical adviser on wildlife, said: “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges to wildlife species and their habitats and also people. We are already seeing the consequences globally, a portion of the iconic Great Barrier Reef has already died, birds’ migration patterns have changed in Europe, massive floods of 2010 in Pakistan caused losses of Indus River dolphin, and so much more. Climate change is real; we all are responsible and only our collective actions can help the Earth, unless we all decide to move to a different planet.”

This year marked the 11th international anniversary of Earth Hour, which started as a symbolic event in Sydney in 2007.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2018