March 25 will be a big switch-off event for Earth Hour 2017, now on its 10th year in the Philippines. Once again, the World Wide Fund (WWF) spearheads the event, with even more partners collaborating to make this a memorable and sustainable endeavor.
From 8:30 to 9:30 PM on March 25, most iconic landmarks all over the world will switch lights off. In the Philippines, the main switch-off event will happen at SM by the Bay, Mall of Asia Complex from 7PM to 10PM on March 25, Saturday night. An Earth Hour Camp starts as early as 4PM featuring interactive climate adaptation and mitigation booths like native tree planting, renewable energy technologies, and disaster go-bag preparation.
Earth Hour involves the simple action of turning off lights for 60 minutes to deliver a powerful message about the need for decisive climate change solutions. From just a symbolic switch-off that began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, Earth Hour has grown into the world’s largest open-sourced environmental campaign with many environmental and social projects with tangible outcomes that has mobilized millions in over 7,000 cities and 176 countries.
The youth will be central to this year’s Earth Hour. The #EarthHourPH2017 campaign will be focused on galvanizing the youth to be climate leaders of tomorrow. Members of the National Youth Council will lead the Earth Hour Camp. WWF-Philippines President and CEO, Joel Palma, felt that while the theme of Earth Hour was Shining a Light on Climate Action, they “took to heart the role of the youth as the key to further propel the country into a climate-resilient one.” Two new WWF Youth Ambassadors will also be introduced along with the official WWF-Philippines song.
WWF National Ambassadors Marc Nelson and Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski hosted the launch of Earth Hour at Discovery Suites in Ortigas Center last March 8.
WWF National Youth Council Chairperson Alexa Concio talked about Earth Hour Camp and introduced the other members of their Youth Council.
The Philippines joined Earth Hour in 2008, a year after Sydney began it. It topped global participating records from 2009 to 2012, earning it the title ‘Earth Hour Hero Country’. With the multi-sectoral support of the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Leagues of Municipalities, Cities, and Provinces, the Metro Manila Development Authority, and other government partners, Earth Hour in the Philippines has always been a success.
Partners with WWF this year are SM by the Bay, SM Cares, SM Supermalls, Philips Lighting Electronics Inc., Pure Energy Holdings Corporation, Summit Natural Drinking Water, Energy Development Corporation, Bambikes, Pivot Edutainment, Rock PH, and Discovery Suites. WWF said it welcomes other supporters as well.
People on social media can also support Earth Hour. Here are ways to help:
- Share the link to earthhour.org/climateaction where there are different suggestions for social media participation
- Use the official hashtags — #EarthHourPH2017 and #ChangeClimateChange
- Upload your best photo(s) of Earth Hour to the official Facebook event page – Earth Hour Philippines 2017