Thousands unite for Earth Hour in Nepal

Posted on March, 29 2015

Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, came alive as more than five thousand people, mostly youth, from different walks of life turned up to celebrate Earth Hour in Nepal.

Kathmandu, Nepal – Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, came alive as more than five thousand people, mostly youth, from different walks of life turned up to celebrate Earth Hour in Nepal.

Celebrated with the theme, Change Climate Change, and using music as the centerpiece, Earth Hour appealed to the youth to use individual and collective action towards protecting the planet. The event featured 1974AD, Nepal’s leading rock ensemble, and tied in with WWF Nepal’s The Generation Green (TGG) campaign that gives Nepal’s youth a collective platform in engaging in environmental preservation and sustainable development.

“To change climate change, it is essential to harness the power of the youth as important catalysts of change,” stated Dr. Ghana S Gurung, Senior Conservation Program Director of WWF Nepal. “As Earth Hour goes global to local, I am sure Nepal’s youth can start today, start small or big, to keep building a living planet.”

Blending music and messaging, the event had Miss Nepal 2014 and WWF Nepal’s Young Conservation Ambassador, Ms. Subin Limbu, and CEO of Mega Bank and a TGG mentor, Mr. Anil Shah, as special guests.

“Youth can show the way,” stated Ms. Limbu. “It is heartening to see a vibrant young crowd today, and I hope you will join me in being a part of this change, for the environment and for the nation.

“In order to build leadership, it is important to lead by example” stated Mr. Shah. “While it gives me pride to be associated with The Generation Green, a campaign designed for Nepal’s youth, it also gives me hope in knowing that Nepal has its fair share of young leaders who can set the trend for a better today and tomorrow.”

As part of the celebrations beyond the hour, WWF Nepal also launched the Earth Hour selfie contest via social media (http://on.fb.me/1IGMdn4) for youth to personalize individual actions and pledge to protect the planet. The month-long contest ending April 2015 will create a collage of youth and their actions in sustainable living.