PM, President urge collective action, civic responsibility for sustainable future

• PM Shehbaz, President Zardari urge Pakistanis to switch off lights for Earth Hour, highlighting climate action

• Earth Hour 2026 theme: ‘Give an Hour for Earth’, promoting energy efficiency and environmental protection

• President Zardari highlights the impact of climate change on farmers, cities, and water availability

• Pakistan ranks among countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing floods, heatwaves, droughts, and storms

 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday called on citizens across Pakistan to join the global ‘Earth Hour’ by switching off non-essential lights for one hour, emphasizing that collective action is crucial to combat climate change and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.

In his message, PM Sharif urged the nation to turn off unnecessary lights or limit their use between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm, highlighting that Earth Hour serves as a global reminder of shared responsibility for the planet.

“Earth Hour is not just a symbolic movement, but a global moment of reflection that provides an opportunity for renewed commitment to a sustainable and resilient environmental future,” he said.

“The cumulative effect of such conscious actions can drive major social change. The decisions we make today to address climate change and environmental degradation will determine the future of generations to come.”

This year, Earth Hour is being observed under the theme ‘Give an Hour for Earth,’ aimed at creating awareness about environmental protection, efficient energy use, and climate change mitigation.

Organized annually by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) on the last Saturday of March, Earth Hour encourages individuals, communities, and businesses to switch off non-essential lights for one hour to promote a sustainable, net-zero future. Landmarks and businesses around the world participate in the initiative.

Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, experiencing erratic weather patterns, frequent heatwaves, untimely rains, storms, cyclones, floods, and droughts. In 2022, monsoon floods killed over 1,700 people, displaced 33 million, and caused more than $30 billion in losses, while floods last year claimed 1,037 lives.

In a separate message on the occasion, President Asif Ali Zardari stressed the need for humans to reflect on whether current lifestyles are compatible with the planet’s limits.

“As human beings, we need to assess whether our ways of living remain in balance with natural systems. Pressures on these systems are steadily reducing the space in which life can sustain itself,” he said.

“This calls for a more careful approach to development. Energy generation and use, consumption patterns, and agricultural and industrial production must operate within environmental capacity.”

Zardari noted that while Pakistan contributes less than one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, it remains among the nations most exposed to climate risks.

“Recent floods, recurring heatwaves, and periods of drought highlight the severity of these challenges. Farmers face increasing uncertainty due to changing rainfall patterns affecting crops and livelihoods,” he said.

“Rising temperatures in many cities strain electricity systems and make daily life more difficult, while water availability in several regions has become unpredictable. Floods have damaged homes, roads, and farmland.”

The President urged all Pakistanis to switch off non-essential lights for one hour on March 28, reflecting on how they can conserve energy, protect the environment, and support sustainable living initiatives.