Marcos leads PH switch-off for 2023 Earth Hour
'Let's give Mother Nature 60 minutes to breathe'---PBBM
"It only takes 60 minutes to do good for our future."
This was what President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said as he urged Filipinos to turn off their light and join this year's commemoration of Earth Hour and help mitigate the devastating effects of climate change.
In an Instagram Reel, the President said Malacañang will observe Earth Hour by switching off non-essential lights during Earth Hour on Saturday, March 25.
"It only takes 60 minutes to do good for our future, 60 minutes to take notice and commit to saving Mother Nature-- to be united and take action," he said. "Because together, nothing is impossible. Let's switch off and give Mother Nature 60 minutes to breathe," he added. Marcos noted that the Philippines is battered with an average of 20 typhoons yearly, “making it one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change.” He added that as the Earth's temperature gets warmer, with the world's carbon footprint reaching a new all-time high of 36.8 gigatons in 2022, the world braces for the irreversible impact of climate change.
Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organized by the World Wildlife Fund. The event is held annually, encouraging individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights, for one hour, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the last Saturday of March, as a symbol of commitment to the planet. This year marks the 16th anniversary of Earth Hour. Since it was first held in 2007, in Sydney, Australia, great strides have been made in highlighting the dire state of the planet, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature, which organizes the event. In a separate video message, President Marcos said the observance of Earth Hour would help the government enforce its action plans that would benefit the planet. “So at this hour, let us stop, slow down and dedicate a moment to help the Earth breathe and heal anew," he said. The President hoped that this shared activity would remind everyone that environmental preservation is an "inter-generational responsibility" that should be a priority in the pursuit of progress and prosperity. “Let us become part of the solution and embark on advocacies, programs, and initiatives that will help us protect and preserve the Earth, our only home,” he added.Screenshots from the President's Instagram Reel @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/VF6laft0ga
— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyllcyrus_MB) March 25, 2023