WWF-Philippines Urges Filipinos to #SpeakUpForNature for Earth Hour Philippines 2021
March 2021
A woman holds up a candle, lit in solidarity with Earth Hour 2021. Millions of people across the globe came together on the 27th of March for Earth Hour 2021, to speak up for nature and to stand for the protection of the planet. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines
Philippines - On Saturday, 27 March at 8:30 p.m. local time, Earth Hour united individuals, businesses and leaders from all over the world to shine a spotlight on the health of the planet, raising awareness on the importance of nature and inspiring action for a brighter future for nature and people. With COVID-19 safety regulations continuing in several parts of the world, many countries celebrated Earth Hour online, mobilising millions of people from across the globe to speak up for nature.
As lights dimmed in homes and cities, Earth Hour brought people together to put a virtual spotlight on our planet and the role people can play in global efforts for nature.
With mounting evidence establishing a close link between nature's destruction and rising incidences of infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19, Earth Hour served as an unmissable opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of nature, in a year when leaders will take key decisions on nature, climate change and sustainable development.
"Whether it is a decline in pollinators, fewer fish in the ocean and rivers, disappearing forests or the wider loss of biodiversity, the evidence is mounting that nature is in free fall. And this is because of the way we live our lives and run our economies. Protecting nature is our moral responsibility but losing it also increases our vulnerability to pandemics, accelerates climate change, and threatens our food security,” said Marco Lambertini, Director General, WWF International.
“We must stop taking nature for granted, respect its intrinsic value, and - importantly - value the crucial services it provides to our health, wellbeing and economy. We need to unite and take urgent action now to set nature on the path to recovery and secure a nature-positive world, while supporting climate action. By acting for nature, we can all create a healthier, fairer and more sustainable world.”
Renowned public figures, celebrities, youth organisations and businesses from across the globe supported Earth Hour to draw attention to the nature and climate crises. In recognition of the critical role young people will play in creating a more sustainable world, many global youth groups including Fridays For Future, AIESEC, United Nations Global Youth Biodiversity Network, Global Scouts, YMCA, and Global Youth Action Team participated in Earth Hour calling for a safer, healthier future for all.
Earth Hour Highlights
The lights of Rizal Memorial were switched off in solidarity with Earth Hour 2021. Photograph © The National Parks Development Committee
Earth Hour Philippines generated a total of 3,917,073 social media impressions locally prior to March 27, with Facebook alone reaching 3,472,323 individuals. A further 97,177 individuals were reached on the night itself during the screening of WWF-Philippines’ Earth Hour celebrations.
A number of establishments across the country also participated in this years’ Earth Hour with their own lights-off events. The lights of the Rizal Monument at Luneta Park were switched off, as well as those of Araneta Coliseum, the headquarters of GMA, Ayala Malls, Filinvest, and CityMall properties, and other locations across the country. Multiple cities and LGUs across the Philippines also participated in the iconic switch-off event.
In celebration of Earth Hour 2021, the lights of Araneta Coliseum were also switched off. Photograph © The Araneta Group
Various businesses and government agencies offered pledges of support to the movement, including a message from the Republic of the Philippines President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. “I join everyone in the annual observance of this symbolic switching-off of non-essential lights for an hour, which is an important call for climate action in this crucial time of history. The previous year has truly been a challenging period for us all, and the environmental adversities we faced have shown us the urgency to unite in addressing pressing issues that directly affect our planet,” said President Duterte.
A solar lamp installation installed atop Makati City Hall by the Liter of Light Global Foundation was lit up in celebration of Earth Hour 2021. Photograph © LGU of Makati
“It is clear that we are active agents that can change the fate of all living things, even those that come into being beyond our lifetimes. Our responsibility, then, becomes clear - because our actions as human beings have grown in scale, power, and scope, it is incumbent upon us to fashion systems, policies and practices that are sustainable. This is why movements like Earth Hour and the greater environmental cause will always be relevant. The protection of our environment is not just an advocacy - it carries the foundation of our way of life and the world,” said Vice-President Leni Robredo.
WWF-Philippines ran Earth Hour PHlix in celebration of Earth Hour Philippines 2021. Photograph © WWF-Philippines
EH PHlix, a Web Series for a Sustainable Tomorrow
In celebration of Earth Hour Philippines 2021, WWF-Philippines held EH PHlix, a web series put together with the help of the organizations’ many ambassadors and official partners. PHlix gathered experts in environmental education, sustainable dining, and plastic waste management, to discuss measures that ordinary Filipinos could take to lead more sustainable lifestyles.
WWF-Philippines Ambassadors Mikee Cojuangco-Jowarski, Xia Vigor, Pia Wurtzbach, KC Concepcion and WWF-Philippines National Ambassador Iza Calzado joined Chef Robby Goco of Cyma, Souc and Green Meadows, Rina Papio of SoilMate and Green Space, KALIPI President Wilma Arevalo and the project teams of WWF-Philippines for Earth Hour PHlix. Photograph © WWF-Philippines
In celebration of Earth Hour Philippines 2021, WWF-Philippines held EH PHlix, a web series put together with the help of the organizations’ many ambassadors and official partners. PHlix gathered experts in environmental education, sustainable dining, and plastic waste management, to discuss measures that ordinary Filipinos could take to lead more sustainable lifestyles.
PHlix opened with Wildlife Conservation for Kids, hosted by WWF-Philippines Ambassadors Mikee Cojuango-Jowarski and Xia Vigor, together with the WWF-Philippines Education for Sustainable Development team. Afterwards was Feed the Future: Sustainable Dining 101 with WWF-Philippines Ambassadors Pia Wurtzbach and KC Concepcion as well as Chef Robby Goco of Cyma, Souv! and Green Pastures , Rina Papio of SoilMate and Green Space, and the WWF-Philippines Sustainable Diner team. This was followed by Tackling the Plastic Problem, which was hosted by WWF-Philippines National Ambassador Iza Calzado and KALIPI President Wilma Arevalo alongside the WWF-Philippines Plastic Program.
Earth Hour PHlix came to a close with the Countdown to Earth Hour, which ran from 7:00PM right up to the hour itself. Photograph © WWF-Philippines
EH PHlix concluded with the Countdown to Earth Hour, hosted by WWF-Philippines National Ambassadors Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez. Messages on the significance of climate change and appeals for climate action and conservation were delivered by Secretary Emmanuel M. de Guzman of the Climate Change Commission, WWF-Philippines Earth Hour Pilipinas National Director Atty. Angela Ibay and WWF-Philippines Executive Director Katherine Custodio. This was followed by a short panel between the three speakers and WWF-Philippines Ambassador Karen Ibasco, where they discussed the need for a green recovery post-pandemic. This, in turn, was followed by the final countdown to Earth Hour.
WWF-Philippines National Ambassadors Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez joined CCC Commissioner Atty. Rachel Anne Herrera, WWF-Philippines Executive Director Katherine Custodio,, Earth Hour Pilipinas National Director Atty. Angela Ibay and WWF-Philippines Ambassador Karen Ibasco for a discussion on the importance of green recovery and the need for the Philippines to transition toward a green economy. Photograph © WWF-Philippines
“Earth Hour, one, is a thank you to everyone who has been joining us over the years and for joining us again this year. It is also a call to action - even as we celebrate Earth Hour, we know that there are a lot of things we still need to do. We still need to push our governments to submit our NDCs, we still need to be able to do a lot of things for the environment not just in the Philippines but all over the world, but I know that with everyone’s help and with this movement of Earth Hour, we’ll be able to get there,” said WWF-Philippines Earth Hour Pilipinas Director Atty. Angela Ibay.
Earth Hour PHlix brought WWF-Philippines’ Ambassadors together with industry experts and WWF-Philippines’ project teams to discuss environmental education, sustainable dining and plastic waste management. Photograph © WWF-Philippines
#SpeakUpForNature
Earth Hour Philippines 2021 also encouraged Filipinos from all across the country to push for stronger climate action, and to protect and speak out for the environment in their individual lives. Filipinos were invited to share their hopes and dreams for a sustainable future through the hashtag #SpeakUpForNature, and to stand in solidarity with individuals from across the globe.
“While we exercise safety and stem the effects of the pandemic, we must also address the root causes, which is the degradation of nature compounded by climate change. Meanwhile, millions of low-income Filipinos suffer disproportionately from the impacts of climate change and loss of nature. In the midst of this dire situation, we do need to stay focused and solutions oriented, and say that we can work with nature and not against it, and that nature should benefit all… How can we speak up for nature? The best way, really, is to let our actions do the talking,” said WWF-Philippines Executive Director Katherine Custodio.
Earth Hour PHlix and Earth Hour Philippines 2021 was made possible with the help of the following partners and government agencies. Photograph © WWF-Philippines
Earth Hour Philippines 2021 is co-presented by CityMall. WWF-Philippines would also like to thank the following major sponsors: Globe Telecom Inc., foodpanda, GCash, Araneta City and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Philippines. We would also like to thank our official media partners for #EarthHourPhilippines2021: ABS-CBN News, ANC, CNN Philippines, GMA, Net 25, GTV, Teleradyo, CLTV36, DZBB, DWLS, Radyo Veritas, Radyo Agila, Philippine Star, The Daily Tribune, Esquire, Adobo Magazine, WhenInManila.Com, Our Awesome Planet, Gadgets Magazine, GRID Magazine, Commoner PH, and Globaltronics.
Last but not least, we would like to thank the following National Government Agencies: The Office of the President of the Philippines, The Office of the Vice President of the Philippines, The Presidential Communications Operations Office, The Climate Change Commission, The Department of the Interior and Local Government, The Department of Energy, The Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, The National Parks Development Committee, The League of Municipalities, The League of Cities of the Philippines, The Department of Education and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
Please consider supporting WWF-Philippines in its work of building a better and more climate-resilient future for all - a future where people live in harmony with nature. wwf.org.ph/donate
For more information, please contact:
Atty. Gia Ibay
Earth Hour Pilipinas National Director
gibay@wwf.org.ph
For media arrangements, please contact:
Ms. Chezka Guevarra
Public Relations, Media, and Events Assistant Manager
cguevarra@wwf.org.ph
