DoE: Changes needed for energy efficiency
The Department of Energy on Friday stressed that power consumers need a behavioral change in using electricity to promote energy efficiency and increase resilience to climate change amid thinning supply as demand increases.
“Behavioral change may seem like a challenge but there are relatively simple things that we can do to be energy efficient, increase resilience to climate change, and pave the way to a more sustainable future,” Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla said.
“The conscientious and mindful use of energy is not only our responsibility to ourselves and the country but more importantly to our Mother Earth,” he added.
The DoE chief encourages the public to observe Earth Hour on Saturday night — an annual global movement that aims to raise awareness of climate change and pressing environmental concerns.
Earth Hour is an annual symbolic lights-out event that started in Sydney in 2007. This year’s Earth Hour in-person will be at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.
“Collective actions could build a safer, more resilient, and sustainable future. By switching off our lights for one hour, we can make a substantial difference in energy consumption,” Lotilla said.
Last year, the Department of Energy reported that a total of 65.32 megawatts were saved nationwide during the one-hour switch-off of non-essential lights last year.
The largest savings of 35.26 MW was reported in Luzon, followed by 15.3 MW in Mindanao, and 14.76 MW in Visayas.
Meantime, the Department of the Interior and Local Government has called on all local government units to observe the Earth Hour by encouraging their constituents to switch off their lights on Saturday from 8:30-9:30 p.m. to send a strong and urgent message on the need for collective action to address climate change.
“Let us unite with the rest of the world in caring for our one and only home, Mother Earth,” said DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr.
He added that this year’s global movement provides the platform to urgently promote the advocacy of addressing the planet’s biggest environmental challenges.
“We need to take urgent and decisive actions now to save the planet for our sake and the sake of future generations,” he said.
As vice-chair for Disaster Preparedness of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Abalos encouraged all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors and punong barangays to embark on Earth Hour activities that are aligned with the new global action plan for nature for the coming decade.
In memorandum circular 2023-031, Abalos prodded LGUs to mobilize their constituents to participate in the Earth Hour activities in their respective areas.