Pakistan’s leaders call for nationwide participation in Earth Hour, urging citizens to switch off lights and adopt sustainable lifestyles as climate risks intensify across the country.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged citizens across Pakistan to join the global Earth Hour initiative by switching off non-essential lights for one hour, highlighting the importance of collective action in tackling climate change and ensuring a sustainable future for coming generations.
In a message issued on Saturday, Sharif called on people nationwide to take part in the annual event by limiting electricity use between 8:30pm and 9:30pm, describing Earth Hour as more than a symbolic gesture.
“Earth Hour is not just a symbolic movement, but it is a global moment of reflection that provides an opportunity for renewed commitment for a sustainable and resilient environmental future,” he said.
The initiative, organised by the World Wildlife Fund, takes place on the last Saturday of March each year. It encourages individuals, communities and businesses worldwide to “give an hour for Earth” by switching off lights at major landmarks and buildings to promote a sustainable net-zero future.
Sharif said small actions, when combined, could drive broader social change.
“The cumulative effect of such conscious actions leads to a major positive social change. The decisions we make today to address climate change and environmental degradation will determine the future of generations to come,” he added.
Pakistan remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing increasingly erratic weather patterns. In recent years, the country has experienced frequent heatwaves, untimely rains, storms, cyclones, floods and droughts.
The devastating monsoon floods of 2022 killed more than 1,700 people, displaced around 33 million and caused losses exceeding $30 billion. Floods last year claimed another 1,037 lives.
In a separate statement, President Asif Ali Zardari also urged citizens to reflect on their environmental impact and adopt more sustainable lifestyles.
“As human beings, we need to reflect on whether our ways of living are in balance with the limits of our planet. The pressures we place on natural systems are steadily reducing the space in which life can sustain itself,” he said.
Zardari stressed the need for more responsible development practices, noting that energy systems, consumption patterns as well as agricultural and industrial production must remain within environmental limits.
He pointed out that although Pakistan contributes less than one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is among the countries most exposed to climate risks.
“Recent floods, recurring heatwaves and periods of drought have shown how serious these challenges have become. Farmers face increasing uncertainty due to changing rainfall patterns that affect crops and livelihoods,” he said.
He added that rising urban temperatures are placing increasing strain on electricity systems while water availability has become more unpredictable. Floods have also damaged homes, roads and farmland across different regions.
Encouraging participation, the president called on citizens to switch off non-essential lights on March 28 and use the moment to consider how they can conserve energy, protect the environment and support sustainable living.
This year’s Earth Hour is being observed under the theme “Give an Hour for Earth”, aiming to raise awareness about environmental protection, efficient energy use and climate change.
