WWF-Philippines and Partners Collaborate for the Earth Day 2020 Movement Online

On the 22nd of April, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines and its partners held online events in celebration of this year’s Earth Day 2020, to help educate the public on environmental issues amid the nationwide lockdown.

The first Earth Day was celebrated in the United States of America on the 22nd of April, 1970. The movement first went global in 1990, when 200 million individuals in 141 countries across the globe mobilized to bring attention toward issues of the environment. Since its inception, Earth Day has served as an avenue for collaboration and participation among the global community in the pursuit of a greener tomorrow.

WWF-Philippines celebrated Earth Day 2020 with the launch of its latest initiative – Panda Talks. It is a series of live educational webisodes which aims to equip Filipinos with additional knowledge and life skills on the different conservation issues we are facing today. The pilot webisode, which was launched on Earth Day 2020, focused on the basics of urban container gardening and food security, and was hosted by WWF-Philippines National Ambassadors Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez. Monci Hinay, WWF- Philippines’ Project Manager for Sustainable Food Systems, conducted the webinar.

“What better way to teach people how to take care of nature than by teaching them how to grow their own food?” said Hinay. WWF-Philippines advocates for the sustainable production of food. The organization pursues projects and initiatives that help communities become self-dependent in producing their own food.

The first Panda Talks webisode was followed by an Instagram Live session conducted by WWF-Philippines’ National Youth Council (NYC). Entitled Conservation Conversation: Nature Exploration, the session was hosted by NYC Members Gab Mejia, Deign Soriano, and Nikki Huang, who interviewed outdoor photographer Javi Cang as the guest speaker. WWF-Philippines engages with the youth sector, who serve as advocates of conservation to the younger generation.

“The most powerful tool that anyone has is your voice… Your voice through art, your voice through storytelling, your voice through taking photographs. What you should do is share your voice, to push for institutional change,” said Cang.

Official WWF-Philippines partner The Mind Museum held their own online conversation for their own Earth Hour 2020 celebration. Entitled “How a sick planet can make us sick,” the talk featured WWF-Philippines Chairperson Maria Isabel Garcia, Greenpeace Southeast Asia Executive Director Yeb Saño, and UP Manila Professor Marilen Parungao Balolong.

Throughout the week, Kamalayan PH will be partnering with WWF-Philippines for Musika para sa mga Mangingisda, a series of musical performances that will be aired live through their social media channels. The series will include performances from Annie Lux, Paolo Sandejas, Manisha, ((( O ))), and John Robinson. Proceeds from the performances will be used to bring clean water to fishing communities in Boca Engano, Masbate, and Donsol, Sorsogon.

WWF-Philippines will also be hosting watch parties of CNN Philippines’ nature documentaries throughout the week. The first documentary, “Going Green”, will be aired in back-to-back episodes on the 24th of April, with replays throughout the week. “Ted Turner: Captain Planet” will premiere on the 26th of April, with replays throughout the following days.

“We must work together to save lives, ease suffering and lessen the shattering economic and social consequences… The current crisis is an unprecedented wake-up call. We need to turn the recovery into a real opportunity to do things right for the future,” said United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, in a message given in honor of Earth Day 2020. In his message, Guterres reminded nations to recognize the significance of the environmental crisis in the face of the current pandemic, urging the international community to take actions toward mitigating greenhouse gases and addressing climate change.

“On this Earth Day, please join me in demanding a healthy and resilient future for people and the planet alike,” added Guterres.

WWF-Philippines National Ambassadors Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez and WWF-Philippines Project Manager Monci Hinay held the first Panda Talks, a series of live educational webisodes which aims to equip Filipinos with additional knowledge and life skills on the different conservation issues we are facing today. The pilot webisode focused on the basics of urban container gardening. Photograph © WWF- Philippines

The Mind Museum held an online conversation with WWF-Philippines Chairwoman Maria Isabel Garcia, Greenpeace Southeast Asia Executive Director Yeb Saño, and UP Manila Professor Marilen Parungao Balolong for their own Earth Day 2020 celebration. Entitled “How a Sick Planet Can Make Us Sick,” the conversation related the state of the planet to the current pandemic. Photograph © The Mind Museum