MANILA, FEBRUARY 27, 2013 – The Philippines is known for being one of Earth Hour’s staunchest supporters, earning the “Earth Hour Hero Country” title after finishing first-place in the most number of supporters since 2009. Locally spearheaded by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines), organizers are gearing up for the country’s fifth consecutive first-place finish.
Slated for March 23 at 8:30 pm, the Philippines will join 151 other countries (out of the world’s 196 countries) in the fight against global warming and organizers are urging individuals, families, companies, etc to participate and make their pledge to help save the Earth against global warming.
“The EDSA revolution has shown how the Filipino’s strong sense of spirit and unity can change the course of history,” WWF-Philippines vice-chair and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan said. “Because we stand firm, we are able to set an example and be of positive influence to others. Having secured the top spot for four straight years, we should do all we can to ensure that the country again sends a clear message to the world – that individuals, when working as one, can rise to the challenge of climate change.”
Earth Hour 2013 aims to reach more people and provide further chances for participation by going digital. “You can either initiate your own switch-off at your home or be part of bigger switch-off initiatives led by companies or organizations,” said Earth Hour Philippines national director Atty. Gia Ibay. “You can sign up on the Earth Hour Philippines website at wwf.org.ph/earthhour and show the world how you will participate.”
The Earth Hour 2013 Action Kit can be downloaded by parties who want to hold their own switch off events. The kit is available in the website.
Dare the world to save the planet
Taking off from last year’s successful worldwide campaign for Earth Hour, WWF also invites Filipinos to empower their friends and colleagues to commit to protect the planet beyond Earth Hour.
The concept of ‘I Will If You Will’ centers around providing a social contract between two parties – connecting one person, business or organization to a ‘promise’ and their friends, family, customers or members to a challenge – uniting them behind the common goal of creating a positive environmental outcome.
WWF-Philippines national ambassador and fitness enthusiast Rovilson Fernandez has pledged to conduct a free CrossFit class if 1,000 people pledge to use reusable bags instead of plastics.
Fellow national ambassador and extreme sports extraordinaire Marc Nelson has also pledged to kite-board from Boracay Island to the main island of Panay while wearing a Panda headgear if 1,000 people commit to use reusable water tumblers instead of disposable plastic bottles.
Filipina equestrienne and actress Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, the newly-appointed Earth Hour Philippines Ambassador, has pledged to contribute 500 seedlings to WWF-Philippines’ agroforestry programme at the Abuan Watershed in Isabela if 500 people agree to quit smoking for five days.
In light of this effort, WWF challenges Filipinos to go beyond the 60-minute Earth Hour switch-off and initiate environmentally-friendly efforts, something as simple as switching to energy-saving lightbulbs, turning off mobile chargers or signing up for paperless banking will go a long way, said Ibay. “It’s about committing to change your lifestyle on your own terms, to change how you live in ways you can manage, in order to sustain the Earth.”
For more information and to download the action kit, visit wwf.org.ph/earthhour or follow WWF-Philippines at facebook.com/WWF.Philippines or twitter.com/WWF_Philippines.
Photo: WWF-Philippines vice-chair and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan urges Filipinos to participate in the fight against global warming.
