
In the past years, the world has experienced tons of catastrophic natural events such as severe weather phenomenon, enormous wildfires, and the COVID-19 pandemic, that only proves that guarding the environment is utterly vital for the humanity’s secured future.
And to help better the world’s future, the World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF Philippines) urges every Filipino to to take climate action and speak up for nature in the celebration of the annual Earth Hour this year, on March 27 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
“Healthy natural ecosystems are the cornerstone of thriving, equitable and sustainable societies. Our current socio-economic models are leading to the devastating destruction of nature which is increasing our vulnerability to pandemics, accelerating climate change, and placing livelihoods at risk,'' said Marco Lambertini, Director General, WWF International.
''2021 is a crucial year for humanity. As the world tries to turn the tide and recover from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuild itself, we need to put nature at the centre of our recovery efforts to future proof our economies and societies. Earth Hour is a critical moment for individuals, leaders, and environmentalists to unite and call for urgent action to reverse nature loss and secure a nature-positive world by 2030,” the Director General added.
Similar to last year, Earth Hour Philippines 2021 will be mostly digital with several online events held throughout the month of March.
This year, Earth Hour also encourages everyone to participate by not just switching off their lights, but also raise environmental awareness in the social media.
“This year - amidst the current global circumstances - in addition to switching off your lights, we also invite you to raise awareness and create the same unmissable sight online, so that the world sees our planet, the issues we face, and our place within it, in a new light,” the organization said.
“How? It's simple. On the night of Earth Hour (March 27), we'll be posting a must-watch video on all our social media pages - and all you have to do is share it,” they explained.
Before the switch-off on the night of March 27, WWF-Philippines will air the EH PHlix 2021 watch party through its Facebook page. The live stream, which will start at 3:30 p.m., will feature several shows on how Filipinos can practice sustainability and speak up for nature from the safety of their homes. Here is the lineup of shows:
- Wildlife Conservation for Kids, hosted by WWF-Philippines Ambassadors Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski and Xia Vigor, together with WWF-Philippines' Education for Sustainable Development team
- Feed the Future: Sustainable Dining 101 with WWF-Philippines Ambassadors Pia Wurtzbach and KC Concepcion, the WWF-Philippines Sustainable Consumption and Production team, Rina Papio of Greenspace, and Cyma, Souv and Green Pastures owner Chef Robby Goco
- Tackling the Plastic Problem with WWF-Philippines Ambassador Iza Calzado and KALIPI President Wilma Arevalo, and the WWF-Philippines Plastics Program
In the past decade, Earth Hour has inspired global initiatives for the protection of nature, climate, and the environment, helping drive awareness, action and policy change. The movement helped in the creation of a 3.5 million hectares protected marine area in Argentina, a 2,700-hectare Earth Hour forest in Uganda, secured new legislation for the protection of seas and forests in Russia, pushed for a ban on single-use plastics and Styrofoam products in the Ecuadorian capital, and initiated the planting of 20,000 mangrove seedlings in 13 cities in Indonesia.
Visit www.earthhour.org to find out 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 2021.