Filipinos from all walks of life are encouraged to participate in the coming Earth Hour 2023 celebration on March 25 and contribute to the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss.
The yearly global switching off of lights will be observed from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm, local time. Over 150 countries around the world will also follow suit as part of this one-of-a-kind global grassroots movement for nature. Since the first Earth Hour in 2007, millions of people participate every year in Earth Hour from various sectors, groups, and parts of the world, making it an authentic movement of humanity for the environment. The Philippines joined the global movement in 2008.
Organized by The World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF-Philippines), Earth Hour 2023 will be the first time in two years to be celebrated face-to-face since the pandemic.
“We are happy to be making a comeback with in-person celebrations for Earth Hour this year. The best way to really send the message of protecting the environment and the planet is to be with people, talking to them face to face,” Earth Hour Philippines National Director Atty. Angela Consuelo Ibay said.
“We need more people to be part of this movement now more than ever as we continue to see the extreme weather effects brought about by climate change as well as the increased loss of biodiversity. The Philippines is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, and we have already seen the stronger storms, intensified droughts, and extreme rainfall causing flooding. Further, we are a mega-biodiverse country but also a biodiversity hotspot with at least 700 threatened species. So conservation and preservation, including climate adaptation and mitigation, are key measures,” Ibay said.
The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment report already states that our climate system is in crisis, and it is all because of our actions.
Atty. Ibay explained that switching off the lights for one hour is just a small act for one person, but when millions of people do it, it adds up to significant savings in terms of energy usage. She said that the switch-off is simply the first step to becoming more aware of our individual roles in protecting the environment.
The Switch Off event will be hosted by WWF-Philippines ambassadors Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, Karen Ibasco, and Janine Gutierrez, who are all active advocates of nature and the environment, and will feature performances from Oxfam ambassador Antoinette Taus, GMA crooner Jeremy Tiangco, Kai Honasan and indie musicians Daniel Casurao, Akinse, and Lirio & Riri. Prior to the ceremonial switch-off at 8:30 pm, there will be a sustainability fair for partner non-government organizations and social enterprises. The event will also mark the official start of the Earth Hour virtual run organized by Pinoy Fitness.
“I have been a supporter of WWF-Philippines for many years, and I am very aware of the environmental issues we are facing. I want more Filipinos to learn and understand what is happening because knowledge is the first step to taking action,” Cojuangco-Jaworski said.
Earth Hour 2023 is co-presented by Quezon City Government, together with our Official Communications and PR Partner, ComCo Mundo League of Enterprises; media partners GMA, Radyo Veritas, and Globaltronics; promotional partners CICP, Leo Burnett, and GCash; marketing partners Salad Stop, Coca-Cola, SSI Group, Inc., Epson Philippines, Sun Life Foundation, Booths & Partners, Ayala Malls, and Megaworld Lifestyle Malls; and community partners Save the Children, Oxfam Pilipinas, World Vision, United Nations Development Programme, International Organization for Migration, Association of Young Environmental Journalists, The Asia Foundation, De La Salle University, and Philippine Scouts.
The following government offices support this event: the Department of Energy, Climate Change Commission, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, League of Cities of the Philippines, League of Provinces of the Philippines, Department of Agriculture, Court of Appeals, Department of Health, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Information and Communications Technology, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, National Parks Development Committee, National Economic Development Authority, Department of Education, Department of Interior and Local Governance, Laguna Lake Development Authority.
Visit www.earthhour.org to learn more about events happening this Earth Hour around the world. Follow WWF-Philippines on social media for updates and events related to Earth Hour Philippines 2023. Lend your support to the environment with the official Earth Hour hashtags #EarthHour2023, #EarthHourPhilippines2023 and #BiggestHourForEarth.
