Spidey leads everyday heroes in Earth Hour campaign

MANILA, Philippines - The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)’s Earth Hour event Saturday night broke all records of participation, with Spiderman joining millions of “superheroes” in the world’s largest celebration for planet Earth.

With this year’s theme, “Use Your Power,” Earth Hour featured Spiderman as its first ever superhero for the campaign.

The event began its journey across more than 162 countries and territories from New Zealand, sweeping across Asia with Spiderman and the cast from the upcoming film, “The Amazing Spiderman 2,” including Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Jamie Foxx, sending a message to the world that anyone can be a superhero for the earth.

In the Philippines, switch-off ceremonies were held at the Eastwood City Open Park, SM Mall of Asia’s by-the-bay area, Ayala Triangle Park in Makati and thousands of hubs across the country.

Lights at 48 SM Supermalls all over the Philippines and six in China went out in celebration of Earth Hour, a movement that raises consciousness on climate change and its adverse effects on the planet.

The Philippines has been an active participant of Earth Hour since 2008. It has earned the status of “Earth Hero Country” as it has consistently registered the most participating towns in the event.

Perkin Bentley So, SM’s assistant vice president for operations, said SM, through its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, is fully committed to Earth Hour that a total of 48 SM malls in the Philippines and six in China have participated in the hour-long lights out.

“We, at SM through SM Cares, have been supporting Earth Hour for several years with the WWF as our partner because we believe in the advocacy it represents,” he said.

Several mall goers in Spiderman costume trooped to the SM Mall of Asia to participate in the ceremonial switch off at exactly 8:30 p.m. During the switch off, performers entertained the audience, many of whom had glow sticks, with energy saving presentations such as the use of LED lights, fire, lanterns and percussion numbers, among others. Performers included Talahib band, LED man, fire dancers and the Marching Band of SM MOA in light suits.

Ms. Earth winners and candidates also joined the event.

Iconic landmarks plunge in darkness

In Singapore, lights were switched off across the famous Marina Bay skyline, joining the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Opera House, the Bird’s Nest in Beijing, Taipei 101, Wat Arun Buddhist Temple in Bangkok, the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur and other iconic landmarks around the world.

In Australia, a massive candle lit display on the lawn of Parliament House in Canberra spelt out, “Its Lights out for the reef” as thousands across the country witnessed a special documentary about the impact of climate change on the threatened natural wonder that is the Great Barrier Reef.

“Earth Hour will be celebrated by every continent, and people in every corner of the world will be reaching across boundaries of culture, politics, race and religion to acknowledge the power we all have when we come together for this incredible planet,” Earth Hour chief executive officer and co-founder Andy Ridley said yesterday.

“Earth Hour and lights off is a powerful reminder that we can help to deliver the solutions toward creating a more sustainable future for the planet,” he added.

India’s beyond the hour focus for children will be felt with WWF-India’s yearlong education campaign for a monumental 15,000 schools across India who are switching off for Earth Hour and turning to more energy efficient practices.

Swayambhunath Temple in Katmandu came alive at 8:30 p.m. as WWF-Nepal kicked off their target of reaching 500,000 people in the country to lead environmental change through the “Generation Green” campaign.

 â€œEarth Hour is a fantastic movement that has been created to conserve our planet, which is something that should be on top of our list as human beings. Let’s remember that the Earth is not ours, we are of this Earth. We all have a responsibility to each other in preserving our home, so it’s amazing to be a part of Earth Hour to help send that message,” said Garfield, who plays Spiderman.

Albay, Bulacan join Earth Hour

Meanwhile, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal and local officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources led the celebration of Earth Hour with a concert at the Peñaranda Park. –With Edu Punay, Celso Amo, Dino Balabo