1,554 cities, towns go dark to save Mother Earth

MANILA, Philippines -  Again making history, a record-breaking 1,554 cities and towns plunged into darkness Saturday night as the Philippines joined the rest of the world in taking a stand against climate change by turning off lights for an hour or more in observance of Earth Hour 2011.

Earth Hour Philippines said organizers are elated by the immense outpouring of support from the government, private corporations and individuals who again made history by ranking number one globally for the third straight year in terms of town and city participation.

Records show that 1,076 cities and municipalities switched off their lights in 2010, while 647 population hubs did the same in 2009, thus showing a huge leap from only 50 cities and towns in 2008.

Earth Hour Philippines said 10 million Filipinos saved at least 611 megawatts of electricity during the 2009 switch-off alone, equivalent to a temporary shutdown of a dozen coal-fired power-plants.

This year’s switch-off exceeded 2010 figures by 478 towns and cities, a feat that has again given the Philippines the honor of leading an activity for Mother Earth.

“We are elated to clinch the top spot for the third year in a row. More than the numbers though, Earth Hour espouses the importance of our actions beyond the hour,” said Earth Hour national director, lawyer Gia Ibay.

“This year’s switch-off merely signifies the start of a yearlong pledge to minimize our ecological impacts and to do our bit for a more sustainable planet. These sustainable-living pledges can take many forms, from upgrading to energy-efficient appliances to choosing to bike to work every day. Pledges really depend on the individuals who can personally assess what changes they can adopt to reduce their consumption of electricity and water,” she added.

For 2011, a record 131 countries and territories took part observing Earth Hour as numerous global organizations joined nearly a billion people across all continents to heed the call.

Local and foreign guests write on a message board at the lobby of the Traders Hotel in Pasay City as thousands of cities went dark at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday in observance of Earth Hour 2011. ERNIE PEÑAREDONDO

“It is only through the collective action of business, organizations, individuals, communities and governments that we will be able to affect change on the scale required to address the environmental challenges we face,” Earth Hour Global co-founder and executive director Andy Ridley said.

In the Philippines, thousands of people gathered at the main switch-off ceremony site that was held at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) grounds in Pasay City.

“Our collective effort today shows another kind of people power - where different colors and sizes meet - a force so strong that it can make all things move. Tonight’s switch-off is a strong move towards a healthy, safe and climate-resilient nation,” Climate Change commissioner Lucille Sering said.

Earth Hour Philippines is a yearly effort of World Wildlife Fund - Philippines and its allies in the public and private sector which include the Yuchengco Group of Companies, Coca-Cola under its Live Positively Platform, Honda Cars Philippines, McDonald’s, Meralco, SM Supermalls, Discovery Suites, Smart Communications, Philips and Canon.

Media allies have also grown to include ABS-CBN, TV5, GMA-7, Net-25, Solar TV, CLTV-36, Discovery Channel, AXN, AXN Beyond, Animax, National Geographic Channel, Lifestyle Network, BTV, Knowledge Channel, Solar Sports, Solar TV, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Business Mirror, Expat, Aftercall Magazine, Mega Publishing Group, Metro Magazine, Metro Society, Experience Travel and Living, Radyo Veritas, Globaltronics, QCreativs, Clickthecity.com, Sulit.com.ph and numerous other stations and publications.

Public allies include the Philippine Climate Change Commission, Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Transportation and Communications, League of Cities of the Philippines, League of Municipalities of the Philippines and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.

 “Climate change presents us with an opportunity to make the Philippines a better nation, because addressing its impacts means we have to change the way we chart our journey. Earth Hour serves as a reminder of this opportunity, and beyond that hour, we continue to strive to make a difference,” Climate Change commissioner and former Earth Hour Philippines head Yeb Saño said.

Earth Hour 2011 has garnered international support from global companies and organizations as diverse as Nokia, PWC, FIFA, the International Olympic Committee, Canon, Baidu, Naver, National Geographic Channel Asia, Bloomberg, Starcom, Mindshare Pocoyo, Clearchannel, Credit Suisse AG, Coca Cola, IKEA, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Hostel World and CB Richard Ellis.

“Earth Hour Philippines 2011 was our biggest so far and is a resounding success. It is a brilliant example of public and private sector collaboration and a true celebration of climate solutions,” Ibay said after data of the results came out yesterday.

Rough estimates peg that at the very least, over 15 million Filipinos joined this year’s switch-off and Earth Hour organizers said they wish to thank all groups and sectors for again showing leadership in observing the global phenomenon.