‘Earth Hour’ in Cebu City seen to shed over 30MW

CEBU, Philippines - With the growing concern on climate change worldwide, the City Council urges all government agencies offices, business establishments and all households here in the city to take responsibility and participate in the observance of Earth Hour on March 27.

Those who would want to get involved in working towards a sustainable future are urged to switch lights off in the city’s major thoroughfares and in their respective business premises if and when feasible at 8:30 to 9:30 in the evening on the said date.

Councilor Nestor Archival, chairman of the committee on environment, said that they are expecting around 50,000 households, offices and business establishments to join where the city will be able to shed over 30 megawatts of power.

“We already got the commitment of hotels, restaurants and other establishments to join the Earth Hour. This is to symbolize that we would like to vote for the Earth, that we, Cebuanos, are voting to fight climate change,” Archival said.

He said that though this 60-minute power shutdown among participants seems to give a little contribution to the solution of the problem, it still will be able to contribute in the reduction of greenhouse gases being emitted in the atmosphere which causes global warming.

“For every watt of energy we consume is equivalent to a corresponding greenhouse gas that goes to the atmosphere,” Archival said. He explained that most power plants generate energy from burning fossil fuels which process and produce greenhouse gases.

He said they are not expecting everyone to join because he understands that people would not really prefer inconvenience. “But if only everyone will understand how important it is to address climate change now, I hope they will be part of the campaign.”

Archival said that it would even be a big help if the people will practice load shedding everyday.

“So ang hangyo lang nato is for them to switch off lights that are not being used. For example sa mga establishments nga magpasiga gihapon bisan wala na gamita, instead of switching off at midnight, maybe they could switch off lights at 10 p.m.,” Archival added.

 Earth Hour was launched way back 2007 in Sydney, Australia with initial participant of 2.2 million homes and business establishments turning lights off for an hour.

It is the biggest voluntary power down in history sending a message of hope and a powerful message that it is time to take action on climate change through the change of energy consumption habits.

Last year, the Philippines was recorded with the most number of participants from 647 cities and towns wherein Cebu had also the most number of participants. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/MEEV    (FREEMAN NEWS)