KARACHI: On March 27 at 8.30pm, Earth Hour united individuals, businesses and leaders from all across the world to shine a spotlight on the health of the planet, raising awareness on the importance of nature and inspiring action for a brighter future for nature and people.

With Covid-19 safety regulations in place, Pakistan commemorated the event online as virtual events were observed in different cities across the country.

“We must stop taking nature for granted and value the crucial services it provides to our health, wellbeing and economy. Losing nature increases our vulnerability to pandemics, accelerates climate change, and threatens our food security,” said Hammad Naqi Khan, director general of the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-P).

Urgent actions were needed to set nature on the path to recovery and secure a nature-positive world, while supporting climate action, he added.

Pledging her support for Earth Hour, Ushna Shah, renowned actress and WWF’s Goodwill Ambassador said, “From iconic wildlife species to lush green forests, the beauty of our one shared home — our Earth — is unparalleled. We rely on nature for everything but we are losing our natural treasures faster than they can replenish themselves. Preventing nature loss is not just our moral duty, it is critical to our very existence.”

Anoushey Ashraf, WWF’s Goodwill Ambassador said people-led initiatives around the world like Earth Hour were vital to continue to inspire awareness on the importance of nature and prompt action to help deliver a nature-positive world by the end of the decade.

Ali Rehman, actor and WWF’s Goodwill Ambassador, in his message on social media also showed support to Earth Hour 2021. “Replanting and restoring forests across the country is essential to combat climate crisis, reconnecting wildlife habitats, and reducing threats such as flooding and soil erosion,” he said, encouraging supporters to come forward and make pledges to protect the planet.

Businesses and governments worldwide have a key role to play in building a healthy, sustainable future — and planet — for all. This Earth Hour, Business for Nature, a global coalition that brought together business and conservation organizations, called on governments to urgently adopt policies for reversing nature loss by the end of the decade.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2021