Considering the indispensability of energy - since 1947, per capita electricity dependence in Pakistan has grown 82-fold - the current state of affairs can be regarded as a 'national crisis'. The quickest and pragmatic solution - multi-gigawatt capacity addition based on local coal and hydropower - will require at least 2-3 years (5-7 years for hydropower) provided that bold and concerted steps are taken on a war footing.
Assuming optimistically that this will happen, we still have to devise ways in the interim to meet the electricity deficit in the city which has soared triple folded. The challenge is how to stop the crisis from getting worse. The solution lies in a collective national effort.
Globally energy efficiency has become one of the biggest social causes towards a sustainable future. The Clinton Climate change programme, Earth Hour and the UAE sustainability programme are some of the examples as to how the world is coming together to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change. Earth Hour 2009 is a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community. Started in 2007 in Sydney, by WWF, asking households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights and electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change.
At KESC; we have put together a positive and practical programme, which enables everyone in Karachi to start reducing energy use, with immediate effect without altering your life styles.
We can all take part in it. Better still, by lowering our household energy bills; it is a programme that will even save our money as well.
All we have to do is recognise our power, and use it. It is what the power of one is all about. We have all heard "Karachi does not have this, Karachi does not have that," or "Karachi is like this, Karachi is like that," "Nobody does anything". But why do not we ever think about what we have done for our city. This city is not anyone else's, it is our own. We must create the realisation that we must all do something. We must come together to grasp our dreams and goals. We must bring together the drops that will create a roaring river. Small efforts can bring about big changes. If we take these little steps, the target can come a little closer. If these tiny eyes can just open, even the biggest dreams can be fulfilled.
If we all come together, our Karachi can stay forever illuminated
