DENR urges public to practice 'environment stewardship' on Earth Day
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) urged the public to practice "environmental stewardship" by going beyond the traditional hour-long switching of light as the world observes Earth Day on Saturday, March 26.

DENR Acting Secretary Jim O. Sampulna encouraged the public to join the Earth Hour event m by switching off their computers, television sets, air conditioning units, and non-essential lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
"Apart from safeguarding ourselves from the COVID-19 virus under the new normal, let us also create a norm that puts our planet and, ultimately, our people first. Sustainability should already be a lifestyle and a common goal for each Filipino," Sampulna said.
Prior to this, Sampulna revealed that the national government has pledged to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change a projected greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 75 percent (2.71 percent unconditional, 72.29 percent conditional) from 2020 to 2030.
He added that the government would only obtain this goal with the public's help.
To alleviate the effects of climate change, Sampulna vowed to intensify enforcement of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, and Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.
Moreover, Sampulsa said that the agency is also committed to strengthen its National Greening Program while protecting 8.7 million hectares of forests and conserving the biodiversity of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
"Climate change is no longer a foreign term for all of us. With all the typhoons and disasters we have experienced in the past, I hope that Filipinos are already conscious and responsible towards taking care of the environment," Sampulna said.
"Apart from these, individuals can contribute to saving the planet by eating more sustainably, not wasting food, reducing plastic usage, being energy-efficient, being a conscious consumer, being supportive of the government's environmental programs, and being environmental ambassadors in their sphere of influence," he added.