WWF-PH urges Filipinos to join Earth Hour 2024

THE World Wildlife Fund (WWFPhilippines), in partnership with the city government of Manila, has called on Filipinos to join the Earth Hour 2024 switch-off event on March 23.

With the theme “Switch off Plastic Pollution, Give an Hour to Earth,” the local observance of the event will be held at the Kartilya ng Katipunan, beside the Manila City Hall.

WWF-Philippines said Filipinos can help in efforts to solve two of the planet’s biggest problems, biodiversity loss and climate change, by doing their part in conserving energy and putting an end to the problem of plastic pollution.

“Too many of us have forgotten that we are deeply connected with nature, but the way we live, the way we produce and consume, the way we create the spaces we live have made a tremendous impact on our environment, on biodiversity,” WWFPhilippines Executive Director Katherine Custodio said during last Tuesday’s media launch.

Custodio said this year’s Earth Hour Philippines will focus on addressing plastic pollution, as it is one of the most pressing concerns for our country, which now has become a public health issue.

Citing an example, she said the country generates 2 million tons of plastic waste every year, of which only 9 percent is recycled and the other 35 percent leaks out into the open environment.

During the event, the public, as well as the management of national landmarks, office buildings and government offices, are encouraged to switch off their lights for one hour from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to express their commitment to and solidarity with the cause of protecting and restoring the environment.

Last year, over 410,000 hours were given to the Earth with the support of 190 countries and territories joining the event.

The global observance of Earth Hour started as a symbolic event in Sydney, Australia, in 2007 and has since grown into one of the world’s largest grassroots environmental movements, spanning over 7,000 cities and 193 countries and territories.

In 2008, the Philippines joined Earth Hour, marking 2024 its 16th year of being part of the global event.

From a symbolic lights-off event, Earth Hour has evolved into a movement that not only shines light on the issue of climate change but also on the importance of protecting the environment.

“Manila is honored to be hosting this year’s Earth Hour celebration, especially with this year’s focus on eradicating plastic pollution. As the country’s capital, we’re keen on using the influence we have in engaging other cities and Filipinos to do their part in saving the environment,” Manila Mayor Maria Sheilah LacunaPangan said.

On the other hand, Custodio said that Manila has signed up to be a Plastic Smart City, which means they commit to a 100-percent reduction in plastic waste leakage by 2030; thus, the city was chosen as WWF-PH’s partner for this year.