Filipinos Unite in Darkness for Earth Hour 2024

Filipinos Earth Hour

In a remarkable display of solidarity, Filipinos across the nation turned off their lights for 60 minutes on Saturday night, participating in the global Earth Hour initiative. From 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the usually vibrant cityscapes of Quezon City dimmed, with several buildings including Eastwood and GMA Network going dark.

An Earth Hour event was also held at the Kartilya ng Katipunan in Manila, organized by the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) Philippines. This year, the focus of Earth Hour Philippines was on addressing plastic pollution, one of the most pressing environmental concerns for the country.

According to Katherine Custodio, WWF-Philippines executive director, the Philippines generates 2 million metric tons of plastic waste every year. Only 9% of this is recycled, and 35% leaks out into the open environment.

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga called on leaders across all sectors to confront the socio-economic realities of plastic use and develop alternative materials that are as functional and affordable as petroleum-based plastic.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the crucial role of energy efficiency in addressing climate change. He stated, “By embracing energy-efficient practices, we can reduce our carbon footprint and create a sustainable future. In the Philippines, our commitment to promoting energy efficiency paves the way for a cleaner, more climate-resilient nation”.

Earth Hour, which began in Sydney, Australia, in 2007, has grown into a global grassroots movement. It unites people to take action on environmental issues and protect the planet by switching off lights for one hour. Engaging millions of supporters in more than 185 countries and territories, Earth Hour continues to shine a light on global environmental issues, even in the darkness.

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