Lights out for 12th year of Earth Hour

MANILA, Philippines — Conservation group World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is urging Filipinos to participate in the observance of the annual Earth Hour tonight and at the same  time take a stand against plastic pollution to help save the environment.

Now on its 12th year, Earth Hour is the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment, WWF said. 

It said what started out as a campaign to engage people and create significant environmental action against climate change has evolved into a platform that aims to raise awareness on the importance of biodiversity as a viable resource link that families, communities, nations and future generations all depend on.

“The last decade of Earth Hour has contributed so much to the global climate agenda and has paved the way for many conservation wins. Now that we are ushering in the second year of the movement’s new decade, our efforts will still be centered on raising awareness and inspiring action on conserving nature and biodiversity to counter the worsening impacts of climate change,” lawyer Gia Ibay, WWF-Philippines head of climate and energy program and Earth Hour Pilipinas national director, said.

The main switch-off event of Earth Hour 2019 is slated tonight at the Globe Circuit Event Grounds in Makati City at 8:30 p.m.

At least 3,000 scouts will be deployed to the public event that will feature booths, activities and performances that will honor the planet.

Ibay called on everyone in the Philippines to switch off non-essential lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in solidarity with millions around the world who will do the same.

The group recalled that when #Connect2Earth was launched last year as theme of Earth Hour, more than 17,900 landmarks and monuments in over 180 countries and territories switched off their lights to show their commitment to and support for raising awareness and inspiring action on conserving nature and biodiversity.