March 4, 2009
Hard Rock Cafe, Glorietta 3
NATIONWIDE SUPPORT FOR EARTH HOUR MOUNTS
Various organizations—representing civil society, the business community, the religious sector, the youth, national agencies and local governments—have committed their full support to Earth Hour, the global expression of a desire for serious and sustained action on global warming.
Filipinos from all walks of life and in all key cities are being urged to turn off non-essential lights from 8:30pm to 9:30pm on March 28 as part of this worldwide movement, which last year saw the involvement of 371 cities across 35 countries.
In the Philippines, the effort is being led by the local World Wide Fund for Nature office (WWF-Philippines) in cooperation with the Department of Energy (DOE), the Green Army Philippines Network, and the SWITCH movement.
“We have to act now if we are to halt, if not reverse, the dangerous momentum of climate change,” explained Lory Tan, President and CEO of WWF-Philippines. “Earth Hour gives us the vehicle to show how simple acts—like turning off a light switch—can make a difference if we act together to fight global warming.”
“In this time of global crisis, it is vital that we seek causes that unite, rather than divide,” DOE Secretary Angelo T. Reyes added, “and fighting global warming through best energy practices is an excellent opportunity for all of us, regardless of faith, creed or social status, to come together.”
Taking corporate involvement one step deeper, Earth Hour Philippines organizers are aligning the event with climate-friendly energy initiatives through the SWITCH movement, the social mobilization platform of multi-sector energy stakeholders spawned by the 2008 Philippine Energy Summit.
Beyond sponsoring a one-day event, potential national partners are being urged to support SWITCH initiatives over a full year. These initiatives include community-level switches to efficient lighting; cleaner transport fuels and technologies for jeepneys and tricycles; and area-based renewable energy (RE) groundwork-setting and promotion.
“By linking Earth Hour with SWITCH, we hope to make people realize that the symbolic act of switching off their lights for an hour on March 28 is but the start of a broader imperative to change our lifestyles and energy practices for the survival of our planet,” Secretary Reyes said.
“Negotiations are under way with potential Earth Hour national sponsors to jumpstart breakthrough energy practices and technologies from April 2009 to March next year,” disclosed Ambassador Francis Chua, Chairman of the Green Army and head of the Earth Hour Philippines marketing committee.
"Climate change realities require a drastic change in the way we live,” declared former Miss Universe Margie Moran-Floirendo, an Earth Hour Ambassador. “For starters, we need to ask what we can do to help adapt to climate change and help slow it down. Switching off our lights, even for an hour on March 28 is a good start because by our collective action, we will be sending a very powerful message to the rest of the world that we are taking a stand on global warming. We need to use cleaner forms of energy. Even the way we build our houses will need to change."
Earth Hour 2009 aims to reach one billion people in 1,000 cities all over the world. In December, world leaders will meet in Copenhagen to agree on a post-Kyoto policy for tackling climate change. One billion people voting with their light switch during Earth Hour will create a powerful mandate for world leaders to take strong and decisive action on climate change in Copenhagen.
To help reach this goal, a global sign-up campaign and competition is again being launched worldwide. Last year, the Philippines ranked 9th in terms of total sign-ups at www.earthhour.org.
The Earth Hour campaign is already generating a strong online presence: every seven seconds a new mention about Earth Hour appears on the web; Earth Hour social profiles have over 230,000 friends and followers with a new connection every 20 seconds; and an Earth Hour video is viewed every 20 seconds online.
Among Earth Hour’s high-profile international advocates are Nobel Peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, actress Cate Blanchett, and corporate tycoon Richard Branson of the Virgin Group.
Earth Hour Philippines 2009 hopes to involve 10 million Filipinos and 500 businesses in key cities across the country. To achieve this goal, WWF, DOE, the Green Army, and the SWITCH movement are touching base with networks and organizations across the country.
To date, the following institutions have signified their support for Earth Hour: ABS-CBN, Apostleship of the Sea, Archdiocese of Cebu, Archdiocese of Manila, Association of Foundations, Ayala Land Inc., Bank of the Philippine Islands, Body Shop, Boy Scouts of the Philippines, BusinessWorld Publishing, Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth, CBCP Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People, Cemex, Center for Migrant Advocacy, Center for Overseas Workers, Chevron Geothermal Philippines Holdings Inc., ClickTheCity.com, Coalition for Bicol Development NGOs, Department of Education, Don Bosco Youth Center – Tondo, Earth Day Network, Earth Institute Asia, Inc., El Nido Resorts, Energy Development Corporation, Federation of Philippine Industries, Filinvest Alabang, First Gen Corporation, First Philippine Holdings, Gawad Kalinga, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Globaltronics, Globe Telecoms, Google, Habitat for Humanity Philippines, Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, HP, HSBC, Institute for Solidarity in Asia, Intramuros Administration, Jebsen & Jessen, Klima, Knights of Columbus, Lafarge, League of Corporate Foundations, Leo Burnett, Luzon Hydro Corporation, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Manila Jaycees, Manila Ocean Park, Mano Amiga, Meralco, Mindanao Business Council, Mindanao Coalition of Development NGOs, Miriam College, Mother Earth Foundation, National Confederation of Cooperatives, National Council of Churches in the Philippines, National Electrification Administration, National Historical Institute, National Parks Development Committee, National Ulama Council of the Philippines, Nokia Philippines, Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines, Petron Corporation, Philippine Association of Building Administrators, Philippine Biosciences, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Green Building Council, Philippine Jaycees, Philippine Lighting Industry Association, Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Sugar Millers Association, Philippine Wood Producers Association, Philips, Pilipinas Shell Corporation, REACT Philippines, Renewable Energy Coalition, Ricoh, Rotary Club, Shangri-la Hotels, SM Supermalls, Smart Communications, Soroptimist International, Starbucks, Sun Power, Sustainable Development Solutions for Asia and the Pacific Youth, Tetra Pak, The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS), Toyota Motors, UNESCO Club Metro Manila, UNIFEM, USAID Energy and Clean Air Project, Victory Christian Fellowship, Word and Life Publications, World Youth Alliance, YMCA, and YWCA.
Local governments have also started signing up to do their part for Earth Hour. Among the early advocates are the cities of Caloocan, Cebu, Digos, Las Piñas, Makati, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marikina, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Quezon, Tagaytay, Taguig, Tuguegarao, and Valenzuela; the municipality of Pateros, and the provinces of Bukidnon, Marinduque and Misamis Oriental.
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