With days to go before the world switches off for Earth Hour 2009, WWF-Philippines calls on the social networking community to spread the Earth Hour message through e-groups, blogs, web videos and texts. “The commitments of support grow with each day. We urge everyone to spread the word and join millions throughout the world by switching-off lights from 8:30 to 9:30pm on Saturday night, 28 March. This is our chance to show the world what our Bayanihan spirit can do, for only when we act as one will Earth Hour be successful,” says Earth Hour National Director Yeb Saño.Earth Hour is a massive social movement aimed to mobilize action against climate change through the simple act of turning off lights.
Launched in Australia on 31 March 2007, Earth Hour moved over two million people and 2100 businesses in Sydney to turn off their lights for 60 minutes – hence the movement’s logo. This captured the hearts and minds of people all over the world, giving rise to Earth Hour 2008 – where 50 million people in 370 cities followed suit. New York’s Times Square, Rome’s Coliseum and even the remote Casey Station in Antarctica plunged into darkness.The Philippines was the first Southeast Asian nation to pledge support. Its flagship cities of Pasay, Manila, Parañaque and Makati observed a switch-off ceremony and enveloped the entire Roxas Boulevard seaside strip in symbolic darkness.
Popular landmarks such as the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Mall of Asia were blanketed in darkness. Lights-out activities were instigated by a million Filipinos in over 50 major towns and cities across the nation.“Earth Hour 2008 remains the country’s largest environmental action. Last year, total power savings amounted to 80MWh. 56MWh was saved in Luzon alone – equivalent to shutting down a coal-fired power plant for one hour. More important than the power we saved was the awareness and positive action generated. This year, Earth Hour 2009 hopes to inspire at least 10 million Filipinos to unite and act for the environment,” explains Saño.Earth Hour is an initiative of WWF, the Department of Energy, Green Army Network and SWITCH movement. Over a hundred corporations, schools, public and private organizations have now pledged support. The roster of supporters grows by the hour.Numerous institutional partners such as the Archdiocese of Manila Ministry, Boy and Girl Scouts, CBCP, Department of Education, Earth Day Network, Gawad Kalinga, Habitat for Humanity, League of Corporate Foundations, National Electrification Administration, National Historical Institute, Outdoor Advertiser’s Association of the Philippines, Philippine Jaycees, Renewable Energy Coalition, Rotary Club and World Youth Alliance have also pledged support.The Department of Energy has given its full backing for the movement. "This is a cause that should unite us as Filipinos and as citizens of the world," declares DOE Secretary Angelo Reyes. Adds WWF-Vice Chairman and CEO Lory Tan, “Will Earth Hour alone stop climate change? No. But it is a statement that we will not go down without a fight.”The global aim of Earth Hour is to secure the participation of one billion people in 1000 cities globally.
Already over 1500 cities in 80 countries including the United States, China, Russia and India have signed on.“It is hoped that this global gesture will send a clear message for world leaders to take strong and decisive action against climate change,” explains Saño. Top leaders will meet in Copenhagen this coming December to craft a post-Kyoto policy for tackling the world’s mounting problems on climate change. “The strength of our message ultimately depends on how many Filipinos will join in.”
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