Earth Hour, the world’s largest grassroots movement for climate change, was observed by millions of people around the world to show solidarity for both people and the planet.
This year’s event invited people around the globe to unite in a moment of reflection on our relationship with each other and our collective home. WWF-Pakistan partnered with McDonald’s to commemorate Earth Hour with a kick-off event in Lahore held at the Defence Phase 3 McDonald’s outlet. The event was attended by guests like Raina Khan Burki who has received various accolades like the Tamgha-e-Fakhr-e-Imtiaz, Diana Award, and Pride of Pakistan – ISPR. WWF’s staff including Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General, WWF-Pakistan, journalists and the public was present at the event where the lights were switched off and the Earth Hour video was screened.
The event concluded with the Director-General addressing the audience by stating that “Earth Hour is more than just a symbol of support – it aims to increase awareness and spark global conversations on protecting nature not only to combat the climate crisis but to ensure our own health, happiness, prosperity and even survival.
This year we want to highlight actions that people can take in their everyday lives to restore nature and reduce the effects of climate change and be a part of sustainable activities by taking small steps.”
Asif Ghaffar, Director Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, New Product Development McDonald’s stated that 2022 is a critical year for the planet. “This year decisions are being taken by world leaders on climate action and sustainable development. We at McDonald’s fully realise that climate change is a serious threat to our planet. Our supply chain has already been working along with the sustainable development goal guidelines. McDonald’s Pakistan is geared up to collaborate with other organisations and businesses to take necessary control measures. Let’s take care of planet Earth; there’s no plan B!”
To conserve energy and show a commitment towards mitigating climate change, the lights were switched off between 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the following landmarks in Islamabad; Parliament House, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Election Commission of Pakistan, Shah Faisal Mosque, Pakistan National Monument, Convention Centre, Pak China Friendship Centre, Damn-e-Koh, Lake View Park, Main Highways (Jinnah Avenue, Nazim ud Din Road, 7th Avenue, 9th Avenue).
Moreover, the lights of the main road on D Chowk in front of the parliament house were also turned off.
Sadiq Sanjrani, Chairman of the Senate extended his unequivocal support in celebrating Earth Hour 2022 by stating that climate change is impacting the lives and livelihoods of everyone around the world.
Given the scale of disasters caused by the phenomenon, it is about time every citizen of the world contributes towards reversing and tackling this man-made occurrence.
