#Connect2Earth is this year’s theme for Earth hour which happens on the 24th of March. This movement is a call for taking care of our planet’s biodiversity not in the future but right now.
At the Cultural Center of the Philippines is where Earth Hour’s staging will occur which incidentally is the same place where the first ever switch-off event for Earth Hourwas held. Earth Hour urges everyone to hold annual switch-off event for an hour starting 8:30pm. It signifies commitment to save the planet and the people living in it.
“Collectively, we must now look deeper and see how our water, food and energy consumption is endangering our planet’s biodiversity. It’s time to connect to Earth and rekindle our role as stewards of the environment.”shares CEO Jeol Palma, President and CEO of WWF-Philippines.
A social movement
The movement started in Australia back in 2007 and is now known to be the biggest global open-source movement for the protection of the environment in more than 7,000 cities and 180 countries.
Filipinos has been taking part of the annual symbolic lights out event since it started. Earth hour is instrumental in creating social awareness. It has engaged government, businesses,communities, and organizations to participate. It has now inspired advocacies for low-carbon cities, sustainable food production & consumption, renewable energy development, wildlife protection of endangered tamaraws, whale sharks and Irrawaddy dolphins among others, and forest & water conservation,
Together possible
Raising awareness on the importance of biodiversity is Earth Hour’s aim. To increase awareness of the importance of biodiversity, Earth Hour’s had a campaign kick-off on February 27th at the Discovery Suites in Ortigas, Iza Calzado, Rovilson Fernandez & Marc Nelson as the WWF-Philippines National Ambassadors together with National Youth Ambassador Janine Gutierrez. This year, highlights of Earth Hour includes exhibits, activity booths, & local artists cultural performances
Everyone is encouraged to make use of social media by using the hashtag #Connect2Earth and sharing pics and stories of their own ways of living sustainably to care for the Earth’s biodiversity. Earth Hour Philippines’ Facebook event page – http://bit.ly/EarthHourPH2018 will go live by the 1st of March, 2018.
“Sustained and concerted efforts are needed to help solve the planet’s deteriorating biodiversity that is further threatened by our changing climate. Governments, businesses and communities all win significant gains when we all work together and bring positive change for the planet.” reiterates Atty. Gia Ibay, WWF-Philippines’ Head of Climate and Energy Program and Earth Hour Pilipinas National Director.
