This coming Earth Hour 2022 celebration highlights the need to be decisive for the coming national elections. Filipinos must choose leaders who will actively respond to the dual challenge of climate change and biodiversity loss in the next six years.
The World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines’ (WWF-PH) Shape Our Future: The Countdown to Earth Hour 2022 Virtual Roundtable discussion happening on March 26, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. will talk about the environmental issues that the next set of leaders of the country should focus on.
The yearly global switching off of lights will be observed from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm in the Philippines. Over 150 countries around the world will also follow suit as part of this one-of-a-kind global grassroots movement for nature. Millions of people participate every year in Earth Hour regardless of nationality or religion making a true movement of humanity for the environment. Discussions about the loss of nature and climate change as defining issues for the country will be led by Earth Hour Philippines National Director Atty. Angela Consuelo Ibay, with panelists WWF-PH Child Ambassador Xia Vigor, WWF-PH National Youth Council member and ASEAN Youth Advocates Founder Mirus Ponon, The Green Thumb Coalition Convenor Jaybee Garganera, Ten Knots Director of Sustainability Mariglo Laririt, and President of United Ilijan Agricultural Workers for Sustainable Development Rodel Cabigal.
The countdown event will be hosted by WWF-PH ambassadors Pia Wurtzbach and Marc Nelson who are both active advocates of nature. "It is high time that we educate ourselves and our fellow Filipinos about environmental issues that we face, especially now that we are about to elect a new set of leaders who will lead us in the next six years," Wurtzbach said in support of Earth Hour 2022.
"Earth Hour is a step forward towards the goal to collectively act for our environment. We should cast our votes for leaders who will commit to address the worsening environmental issues," Wurtzbach added.
With the theme "Shape our future," the environmental movement aims to be a platform to encourage and mobilize collective action for the environment by educating and inspiring everyone, especially government leaders, to act for nature and climate.
Earth Hour 2022 movement takes the opportunity to educate and empower Filipino voters to #ChangeTheEnding for the Philippines by highlighting the issues in biodiversity conservation and climate change, and raise these issues with people seeking office in the coming elections.
Along with the aim to encourage people to switch off in solidarity with the planet, the Earth Hour 2022 also serves as a call to action to make every individual realize their role in shaping a new future for the people and the planet by taking small steps towards building a sustainable lifestyle as well as urging the government and large-scale companies to help build a fairer, nature-positive and net-zero carbon future.
Earth Hour 2022 is co-presented by GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, and our event partners, Araneta City, Vista Mall, Bellevue Hotel and Resorts, Starmall, and SM Cares, and virtual run partners Ayala Malls, Pinoy Fitness, Pru Life UK, PAWSsion Project, Megaworld Foundation, Lemongrass Consulting, Sun Life Foundation, Bulacan State University, adidas, Rustan's, Rudy Project, Natura Yoga, Urbanashramyoga, and AXA. We would also like to thank our media partners: The Manila Bulletin, The Philippine Star, GMA 7, DZBB Super Radyo, Eagle Broadcasting Station, Net 25, Radyo Agila, When in Manila, Radyo Veritas, When in Manila.com, Our Awesome Planet, Orange Magazine, and Globaltronics.
Last but not the least, thank you also to our supporters from the government sector: The Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, League of Cities of the Philippines, National Parks Development Committee, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Metro Manila Development Authority, and National Historical Commission of the Philippines.