DENR-7 Invites Everybody to Join Earth Hour

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) urged the public to join millions around the world in the observance of Earth Hour on March 29 from 8:30 to 9:30 in the evening.

In a press statement, DENR-7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo encouraged everyone to participate by switching off the lights for one-hour in support to the global campaign to combat climate change, which has been cited as possible culprit behind mega-storms like Yolanda.

“Super typhoon Yolanda reminds us that climate change is a serious issue and that we have to join hands together in making our planet worth living to our future generations”, Montejo said.

Earth Hour is held every last Saturday of March on the initiative of the Washington-based environmental group World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF).

This is dubbed as the single, largest, symbolic mass participation event in the world. Those participating in the event will switch off all lights and appliances and electronics in support to solve the problems related to climate change and global warming.

The Philippines has consistently registered the most number of participating towns and cities, earning the distinction as an “Earth Hour Hero Country” since it first joined the event in 2009.

Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million residents switch off the lights of their homes and offices in order to pledge their support to saving the environment.

The trend soon caught on and several other countries participated across the globe in the initiative.

Montejo cited a measure of lowering the use of energy by changing light bulbs to compact fluorescent light (CFLs) instead of incandescent bulbs as CFLs use up 75 percent less electricity and last up to 13 times longer.

“This is a manifestation of solidarity in lessening our carbon footprint particularly in electrical consumption for an hour or more than 60 minutes,” Montejo explained.

At present, there are more than 150 countries that actively observe Earth Hour every year.

Image Credit: news.gtp.gr