APD | Facing climate change: Pakistan observes Earth Hour by turning off lights

By APD writer Muhammad Sohail

ISLAMABAD, March 30 (APD) -- Cities around the world including in Pakistan observed Earth Hour on Saturday night by turning off the extra lights in a global cause against the climate change.

Lights were switched off in well-known landmarks all across Pakistan from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., including the National Assembly as well as the provincial assemblies. Additionally, unnecessary lights in airports across the country were also switched off.

In a message shared on the occasion, the Custodian of the lower house of Pakistan’s parliament Asad Qaiser said, “The world is experiencing diverse impacts of climate change more than ever and it is important to empower people to become part of climate change initiatives.”

He added that Earth Hour is a reminder that individual actions, as well as actions of the global community, could prove to be a "milestone to transform the climate challenges and protect the generations to come".

Qaiser said that 'Pakistan's Vision 2025' considers climate change to be one of the top national priorities and provides a "sound basis to integrate climate change budgeting into national development planning.”

Lights at Pakistani Parliament were switched off to show a “commitment of joining hands with the world for energy conservation, combating of climate change and global warming.”

The day and time for observing Earth Hour are once annually, around the time of the spring equinox in the Earth’s northern hemisphere and autumn equinox in the southern hemisphere when the sun has set at the same time.

As more and more people are drawn towards this exercise as awareness about it spreads, the global lights out event causes a greater visual impact each year. At least 195 countries had agreed on a new global climate deal in December 2015, in Paris, France.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)