Owing to the huge shortage of water and electricity and other resources all around the world, energy conservation campaigns are being launched, policies are being outlined and research for alternatives is being carried out. However, we in Pakistan feel that hourly load-shedding and TV advertisements are enough to counteract this situation. It is very ironic to see our streetlights turned on during daylight, food streets being decorated with thousands of light bulbs and mega-sized neon boards on throughout the day and night. New, centrally air-conditioned malls are sprouting up in a lot of places. I think we desperately need to launch public awareness campaigns as well as formulate better policies to cater for the needs of the rising population. -ANAM MUSTAFA, Karachi, via e-mail, April 22.