Record-breaking
1671 RP Cities, Towns, Provinces and Municipalities Join Global Switch-off.
MAKATI, CEBU, DAVAO, Philippines - “My challenge
is not about this next hour, but about what we will be doing in the days,
months and years to come,” said Philippine President Benigno Aquino III during
the opening rites of last Saturday’s global Earth Hour switch-off. “The
challenge is to reduce our wants so we can fulfil everyone's needs. I believe
that so long as we are united under this goal, we will succeed.”
When the clock struck 8:30PM on Saturday
night, 31 March, the Philippines was again engulfed in 60 minutes of darkness.
A record-breaking 1671 Filipino towns, cities, provinces and municipalities -
ten more than last year - joined the rest of the world in taking a stand
against climate change. Organizers are elated by the immense outpouring of
support from the government, private corporations and individuals.
Earth
Hour 2012 completed a record journey across over 6525 cities, towns, provinces
and municipalities in 150 countries and territories - its highest participation
levels ever. The Philippines - declared a ‘Hero
Country’ - retained the top spot for the fourth year in a row, contributing a
full fourth of all territory participants.
Since 2008, Earth Hour Philippines has
celebrated climate change solutions, ranking number one globally in terms of
town and city participation since 2009.
Earth Hour became a global movement in 2008.
The Philippines was the first Southeast Asian nation to pledge full support.
Its flagship cities of Pasay, Manila, Parañaque and Makati observed a
switch-off ceremony from 8:00 to 9:00PM on 28 March 2008 at the CCP grounds.
Over 50 local towns and cities participated in the one-hour lights-out. Total power savings amounted to 80MWh. 56MWh
was saved in Luzon alone - equivalent to shutting down a coal-fired power plant
for one hour.
In 2009, the Philippines became the top
Earth Hour country in terms of town and city participation, with 647 Philippine
towns and cities joining in. Ten million Filipinos saved at least 611MWh of
electricity in 2009 - equivalent to a temporary shutdown of a dozen coal-fired
power plants.
In 2010, 1076 Philippine towns and
cities participated. 1661 Philippine cities and municipalities switched off
their lights for Earth Hour in 2011. “We are elated to clinch the top spot
for the fourth year in a row,” beams Earth Hour National Director Atty. Gia
Ibay. “More than the numbers though, Earth Hour espouses the importance of our
actions beyond the hour.”
“This year’s switch-off merely signifies
the start of a yearlong pledge to minimize our ecological impacts and to do our
bit for a more sustainable planet. These sustainable-living pledges can take many
forms, from upgrading to energy-efficient appliances to choosing to bike to
work every day. Pledges really depend on the individuals - who can personally
assess what changes they can adopt to reduce their consumption of electricity
and water.”
The central switch-off was held at
Makati’s Ayala Tower One and was led by no less than Earth Hour Co-Founder Andy
Ridley. The Earth Hour switch-off in Visayas was held in Cebu City’s Plaza
Independencia. The Earth Hour switch-off for Mindanao was held at SM City
Davao. “This year’s celebration is a great
success,” says Ibay. “It is a brilliant example of public and private sector
collaboration and a true celebration of climate solutions.” Rough estimates peg
the power saved to be at least 362MWh during this year’s 60-minute blackout: a
drop of 214MWh was recorded for the Luzon grid, 91MWh for Mindanao and 57MWh
for the Visayas.
A larger drop was recorded last year (with
an estimated 418MWh saved during Earth Hour). WWF-Philippines Vice-Chair and
CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan attributes the smaller drop to power shortages across
the Visayas and Mindanao. “Our focus should not be how much power was saved or
who topped Earth Hour or what. What matters is that we try to go beyond the
hour.”
Public sector partners include the
Climate Change Commission, Department of Energy, Department of Environment and
Natural Resources, Philippine Information Agency, Department of Public Works
and Highways, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Agriculture,
Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of National Defense, Department of
Transportation and Communications, National Economic Development Authority,
Department of Budget Management, Department of Trade and Industry, Department
of Education, the Metro Manila Development Authority, League of Municipalities,
League of Cities and League of Provinces of the Philippines.
Philippine Media Champions include TV5,
ABS-CBN, GMA-7, CLTV-36, Discovery Channel, Knowledge Channel, ZOE TV, Global
News Network, Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, BusinessMirror, Philippine Daily
Inquirer Online, Aftercall Magazine, Philippines Graphic, Radyo Veritas, DZIQ,
DZAR, Globaltronics, QCreativs, Photoworld Manila, ASK and Illuminati
Philippines.
This year’s major corporate sponsor was the
Yuchengco Group of Companies. Other corporate champions include Arthaland,
McDonald's, Big Chill, Tully's Coffee, Globe Telecommunications, DSL GAM LED
Lighting Expert, Philips Lighting Systems, Smart Communications, Primer Group
of Companies, Core, York, Victory Liner Incorporated, Aboitiz Group of
Companies, Lopez Group of Companies, Philippine Business for Social Progress,
Ayala Land, SM Supermalls, Victory Liner Incorporated, 2GoTravel, Canon
Marketing Philippines, Campaigns and Grey, Leo Burnett Manila, the Makati
Shangri-La Hotel plus Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila. Earth Hour organizers wish
to thank all groups and sectors for again showing leadership in observing the
global phenomenon.
Concludes Ibay, “Earth Hour 2012 again
showed that everyone can be part of the solution not just for one night, but
beyond Earth Hour.”
And to support the “I will if you will”
campaign, below is my pledge:
“I will start using ecobag or green bag and
turned off lights whenever not in use If you (my readers and friends) will
start using paperless bills and will do recycling.”
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