Children gather by a glowing '60+' sign. The plus symbolizes the importance of taking energy and resource conservation beyond the hour. The candle cases are made of recycled coconut shells. (WWF-Philippines / Sophia Dedace)

Record-breaking 1671 RP Cities, Towns, Provinces and Municipalities Join Global Switch-off

MAKATI, CEBU, DAVAO, Philippines - “My challenge is not about this next hour, but about what we will be doing in the days, months and years to come,” said Philippine President Benigno Aquino III during the opening rites of last Saturday’s global Earth Hour switch-off. “The challenge is to reduce our wants so we can fulfil everyone’s needs. I believe that so long as we are united under this goal, we will succeed.”

When the clock struck 8:30PM on Saturday night, 31 March, the Philippines was again engulfed in 60 minutes of darkness. A record-breaking 1671 Filipino towns, cities, provinces and municipalities – ten more than last year – joined the rest of the world in taking a stand against climate change. Organizers are elated by the immense outpouring of support from the government, private corporations and individuals.

Earth Hour 2012 completed a record journey across over 6525 cities, towns, provinces and municipalities in 150 countries and territories – its highest participation levels ever. The Philippines – declared a ‘Hero Country’ – retained the top spot for the fourth year in a row, contributing a full fourth of all territory participants.

Since 2008, Earth Hour Philippines has celebrated climate change solutions, ranking number one globally in terms of town and city participation since 2009.

Earth Hour became a global movement in 2008. The Philippines was the first Southeast Asian nation to pledge full support. Its flagship cities of Pasay, Manila, Parañaque and Makati observed a switch-off ceremony from 8:00 to 9:00PM on 28 March 2008 at the CCP grounds. Over 50 local towns and cities participated in the one-hour lights-out. Total power savings amounted to 80MWh. 56MWh was saved in Luzon alone – equivalent to shutting down a coal-fired power plant for one hour.

In 2009, the Philippines became the top Earth Hour country in terms of town and city participation, with 647 Philippine towns and cities joining in. Ten million Filipinos saved at least 611MWh of electricity in 2009 – equivalent to a temporary shutdown of a dozen coal-fired power plants.

In 2010, 1076 Philippine towns and cities participated. 1661 Philippine cities and municipalities switched off their lights for Earth Hour in 2011.

“We are elated to clinch the top spot for the fourth year in a row,” beams Earth Hour National Director Atty. Gia Ibay. “More than the numbers though, Earth Hour espouses the importance of our actions beyond the hour.”

“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.”

The central switch-off was held at Makati’s Ayala Tower One and was led by no less than Earth Hour Co-Founder Andy Ridley. The Earth Hour switch-off in Visayas was held in Cebu City’s Plaza Independencia. The Earth Hour switch-off for Mindanao was held at SM City Davao.

“This year’s celebration is a great success,” says Ibay. “It is a brilliant example of public and private sector collaboration and a true celebration of climate solutions.” Rough estimates peg the power saved to be at least 362MWh during this year’s 60-minute blackout: a drop of 214MWh was recorded for the Luzon grid, 91MWh for Mindanao and 57MWh for the Visayas.

A larger drop was recorded last year (with an estimated 418MWh saved during Earth Hour). WWF-Philippines Vice-Chair and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan attributes the smaller drop to power shortages across the Visayas and Mindanao. “Our focus should not be how much power was saved or who topped Earth Hour or what. What matters is that we try to go beyond the hour.”

Public sector partners include the Climate Change Commission, Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Information Agency, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Agriculture, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of National Defense, Department of Transportation and Communications, National Economic Development Authority, Department of Budget Management, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Education, the Metro Manila Development Authority, League of Municipalities, League of Cities and League of Provinces of the Philippines.

Philippine Media Champions include TV5, ABS-CBN, GMA-7, CLTV-36, Discovery Channel, Knowledge Channel, ZOE TV, Global News Network, Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, BusinessMirror, Philippine Daily Inquirer Online, Aftercall Magazine, Philippines Graphic, Radyo Veritas, DZIQ, DZAR, Globaltronics, QCreativs, Photoworld Manila, ASK and Illuminati Philippines.

This year’s major corporate sponsor was the Yuchengco Group of Companies. Other corporate champions include Arthaland, McDonald’s, Big Chill, Tully’s Coffee, Globe Telecommunications, DSL GAM LED Lighting Expert, Philips Lighting Systems, Smart Communications, Primer Group of Companies, Core, York, Victory Liner Incorporated, Aboitiz Group of Companies, Lopez Group of Companies, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Ayala Land, SM Supermalls, Victory Liner Incorporated, 2GoTravel, Canon Marketing Philippines, Campaigns and Grey, Leo Burnett Manila, the Makati Shangri-La Hotel plus Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila. Earth Hour organizers wish to thank all groups and sectors for again showing leadership in observing the global phenomenon.

Concludes Ibay, “Earth Hour 2012 again showed that everyone can be part of the solution not just for one night, but beyond Earth Hour.”

WWF at a Glance

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is the world’s largest and most experienced conservation organization, operating in over 100 countries through the support of nearly five million people worldwide. WWF-Philippines has been working as a national organization of the WWF network since 1997 and spearheads practical solutions to help the Philippines adapt to climate change, secure food and water sources, switch to clean sources of renewable energy and infuse sustainability into the lives and businesses of Filipinos. WWF’s mission is to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature. For more information, log on to: wwf.org.ph.

For more information:

“TVC produced by Earth Hour Australia partners, Leo Burnett Sydney:
The story of three friends in the outback who are besieged by a swarm of moths after neglecting to switch their lights off.

Don’t be the only one with the lights for Earth Hour, 8:30pm Saturday 31 March

Switch off to show your care for the planet and commitment to do more to protect it.”

In line with its Green UP program, the University of the Philippines community joins Earth Hour on March 31.

On that day, the Philippines will once again for the fifth time join the global community in launching Earth Hour 2012, with cities and towns all over the world switching off their lights from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. sending an even stronger message to take action on global warming. This year, three simultaneous WWF Earth Hour switch off ceremonies shall be held in the cities of Makati, Cebu and Davao.

Further, carrying on with the goal of inspiring the public to go beyond the hour and making long-term commitments to do more for our planet, World Wildlife Fund Philippines will continue its 60+ information-education-communications campaign on climate change for Filipinos, revolving around the themes of energy efficiency, renewable energy and climate adaptation.

The UP community is encouraged to switch off or dim the university lights during this global ‘lights out’ event on March 31 at 8:30 p.m. for one hour.

The UP community is also encouraged to do the following:

1. Switch off or dim their non-essential lights, including signages, as their operations will allow during this global ’lights out‘ event.
2. Promote Earth Hour 2012 in offices, among staff, employees and constituents.
3. Document the Earth Hour event and send to WWF, which will be uploaded to showcase endeavors o celebrate Earth Hour 2012 around the country, or organize a contingent to the Swith Off events in the key cities.
4. Mobilize the sectors in the units to support Earth Hour by switching off the signage lights or some of the lights of the buildings or facilities in your unit, as the operations of the unit will allow.
5. Pledge to go “Beyond The Hour” and be a Climate Change Champion by publicly promoting renewed ways/practices/programs of initiating change, which can include environmental projects/actions that the offices and individuals are willing to undertake throughout the year.

Log in and register support at the Earth Hour Pilipinas website via www.wwf.org.ph/earthhour.

News taken from UP System Website 

As the largest environmental event in history, Earth Hour today launched ‘I Will If You Will’ – its official 2012 campaign to showcase how everyone has the power to change the world they live in.

For the first time, Earth Hour, to be held on 31 March, is taking a creative leap from its annual lights out event to offer a further opportunity for its communities to be part of actual environmental solutions.

Earth Hour began as a single-city initiative in 2007 and has since grown to be a 5251-city strong global movement, reaching 1.8 billion people in 135 countries across all seven continents.

Earth Hour Philippines has led the global switch-off since 2009, ranking number one globally in terms of town and city participation for three consecutive years. A record-breaking 1554 Philippine cities and municipalities switched off in 2011, 1076 in 2010, 647 for 2009 and over 50 during the country’s inaugural Earth Hour switch-off in 2008.

From 8:30pm to 9:30pm this coming 31 March, WWF-Philippines will again stage Earth Hour to inspire Filipinos to switch off their lights and dare their friends to save planet Earth. The ‘I Will If You Will’ digital platform is the result of an alliance among WWF, Leo Burnett, and YouTube – merging the world’s biggest social video platform with the world’s largest environmental event.

Promise, Challenge for Planet Earth

The ‘I Will If You Will’ campaign uses the YouTube video platform to empower people to share a personal dare with the world by asking everyone what are you willing to do to save the planet?

The concept of ‘I Will If You Will’ centers around providing a social contract between two parties – connecting one person, business or organization to a ‘promise’ and their friends, family, customers or members to a ‘challenge’ – uniting them behind the common goal of creating a positive environmental outcome.

The Earth Hour YouTube platform hosts a global library of ‘I Will If You Will’ challenges, while encouraging people to share their ‘dares’ publicly through Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and email. Friends can be invited to participate and accept each challenge using these popular social networks.

The simple promise can range from recycling, to switching to energy-efficient light bulbs, turning off your mobile charger, or signing up for paperless banking.

Corporate and Public Sector Allies Sought

WWF is now seeking official partners for Earth Hour 2012. Says Earth Hour Philippines National Director Atty. Gia Ibay, “We call on corporations, local governments, media networks and other organizations to stand with us for this year’s switch-off. When public and private sector forces unite – then we will be able to effect change on the scale required to change the world.”

Past corporate champions include the Yuchengco Group of Companies, Coca-Cola, Honda Cars, LG Electronics, ArthaLand, McDonald’s, Philips, Ayala Malls, SM Supermalls, Meralco, Shangri-La Hotels and many others.

Current partners include the Department of Energy, ABS-CBN, GMA-7, TV5, Discovery Channel, Global News Network, the Philippine Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer Online, Aftercall Magazine, Radyo Veritas, DZIQ, Globaltronics, Photoworld Manila and Ang Sawari Ko. WWF expects the list to grow as the switch-off approaches.

Earth Hour 2012 is set for 8:30pm on Saturday, 31 March – wherever you are on planet Earth.

About Earth Hour

Earth Hour is a global environmental initiative spearheaded by WWF and Leo Burnett. Individuals, businesses, governments and communities are invited to turn off their lights for one hour on Saturday March 31, 2012 at 8:30pm to show their support for environmentally-sustainable action. In 2012, Earth Hour’s I Will If You Will concept invites individuals and organizations to challenge others to an ongoing environmental commitment beyond the hour. Earth Hour began in one city in 2007 and by 2011 reached over 1.8 billion people in 135 countries across every continent, receiving acclaim as the world’s largest campaign for the planet. Earth Hour Philippines debuted in 2008 and has since grown into one of the largest annual events in the country, with over 18 million participants in 2011. For more information, log on to: earthhour.org.

About WWF

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is the world’s largest and most experienced conservation organization, operating in over 100 countries through the support of nearly five million people worldwide. WWF-Philippines has been working as a national organization of the WWF network since 1997 and spearheads practical solutions to help the Philippines adapt to climate change, secure food and water sources, switch to clean sources of renewable energy and infuse sustainability into the lives and businesses of Filipinos. WWF’s mission is to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature. For more information, log on to: wwf.org.ph.
For more information:

Corporate Partnerships – Ms. Kim Ang (kang@wwf.org.ph)

Media Partnerships – Mr. Gregg Yan (gyan@wwf.org.ph)

Organizational Partnerships – Ms. Marlyn Santiago (msantiago@wwf.org.ph)

The ‘I Will If You Will’ campaign empowers people to share a personal dare with the world by asking everyone what are you willing to do to save the planet?

The concept of ‘I Will If You Will’ centers around providing a social contract between two parties – connecting one person, business or organization to a ‘promise’ and their friends, family, customers or members to a ‘challenge’ – uniting them behind the common goal of creating a positive environmental outcome.

WWF-Philippines encourages you to share your ‘I Will If You Will’ dare publicly through social media. Post it on Facebook, upload it on Youtube, tag your friends on Twitter! Friends can be invited to participate and accept each challenge using these popular social networks.

The simple promise can range from recycling, to switching to energy-efficient light bulbs, turning off your mobile charger, or vowing to go paperless.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN ‘I WILL IF YOU WILL’ STATEMENT

 Have your own ‘I Will If You Will’ statement through the following simple steps:

1. Come up with your own ‘I Will If You Will’ challenge! For example: “I will bike to work everyday instead of taking my car if you will pledge to live green and like the WWF-Philippines page!”

2. Download TEMPLATE 1 and edit it on Photoshop. Type your ‘I Will If You Will’ challenge.

3. Save the file in .JPEG format.

4. Post it on your Facebook page and on the WWF-Philippines Facebook page! Tag your friends and ask them to come up with their own ‘I Will If You Will’ statements too!

Don’t have Photoshop? Not a problem!

1. Download TEMPLATE 2  and open it on Microsoft Powerpoint. You can also download TEMPLATE 3 and open it on Microsoft Paint. Edit and type your own ‘I Will If You Will’ challenge.

2. Save the slide as a .JPEG file.

3. Post it on your Facebook page and on the WWF-Philippines Facebook page! Tag your friends and ask them to come up with their own ‘I Will If You Will’ statements too!

WWF is looking for fresh new faces to create a spark of change during next year’s Earth Hour 2012 Campaign, which aims to be bigger, more contagious, and more inspiring minus the carbon footprint.

If any of you are interested, please course your inquires or your CVs and a letter of intent to Denise Galvez at dgalvez@wwf.org.ph or Marlyn Santiago at msantiago@wwf.org.ph of the Climate Change and Energy Programme. You’ll find a few key qualifications below:

Social Mobilization Wonders (Officers) – 3 pax

•         Work period will be from 3 January 2012 – 6 April 2012
•         Work hours: 40 hours per week
•         Ages 22 – up
•         Could be fresh college graduates or those on their final year
•         Refreshing attitudes with good interpersonal skills across all sorts of groups
•         A determined and passionate advocate of any cause
•         Well organized and Open-minded
•         Has to be a good communicator fluent in both English and Filipino
•         Is confident enough to speak in front of groups of people
•         Is adept at basic MS Office applications and Word Press
•         Able to effectively articulate essential ideas and messages in writing

Social Mobilization Agents (Volunteers) – 2 pax

•         Work period will be from 3 January 2012 – 6 April 2012
•         Work hours: 40 hours per week
•         Ages 22 – up
•         Could be fresh college graduates or those on their final year
•         Refreshing attitudes with good interpersonal skills across all sorts of groups
•         A determined and passionate advocate of any cause
•         Well-organized and Open
•         Has to be a good communicator fluent in both English and Filipino

You may also look up these links for more information into what each position entails:

EH Soc-Mob Officer: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B4VjOkwMYCUkN2ZlNTcwNjEtZTAxYy00YWFjLTljNWMtM2I5ZjUxYjFiYzky

EH Soc-Mob Volunteer: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B4VjOkwMYCUkMzRjYzljZDAtODM1NC00NGNhLWI0OTQtZmVhZWI2MjUyZjZh

We look forward to making a difference with you.

Yours Truly,

The Earth Hour Team

MANILA, Philippines – When the clock struck 8:30PM last night, the Philippines was again engulfed in 60 minutes of darkness. A record-breaking 1661 Filipino towns, cities and municipalities joined the rest of the world in taking a stand against climate change. Reinvigorated by its new ‘60+’ logo, Earth Hour 2011 aimed to make its effects felt not for a mere 60 minutes – but for an entire year. Organizers are elated by the immense outpouring of support from the government, private corporations and individuals.

Since 2008, Earth Hour Philippines has celebrated climate change solutions, ranking number one globally in terms of town and city participation for both 2009 and 2010. 1076 cities and municipalities switched off in 2010, while 647 population hubs did so in 2009. About 50 cities and towns switched off during the country’s inaugural Earth Hour observance in 2008.

Ten million Filipinos saved at least 611MWh 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. “We are elated to clinch the top spot for the third year in a row,” beams Earth Hour National Director Atty. Gia Ibay. “More than the numbers though, Earth Hour espouses the importance of our actions beyond the hour.”

“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.”

A record 134 countries and territories took part in Earth Hour 2011. Numerous global organisations joined nearly a billion people across all continents to heed the hour. “It is only through the collective action of business, organisations, individuals, communities and governments that we will be able to affect change on the scale required to address the environmental challenges we face,” says Earth Hour Global Co-Founder and Executive Director Andy Ridley.

Thousands of people gathered at the main switch-off ceremony, held at the SM Mall of Asia grounds. Says Philippine Climate Change Commissioner Lucille Sering, “Our collective effort today shows another kind of people power – where different colours 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.”

Earth Hour Philippines is a yearly effort of WWF-Philippines and its allies in the public and private sector. 2011 partners 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 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, BusinessMirror, 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 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,” adds Philippine Climate Change Commissioner and former Earth Hour Philippines Head Yeb Saño.

Earth Hour 2011 has garnered international support from global companies and organisations 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,” concludes Ibay. “It is a brilliant example of public and private sector collaboration and a true celebration of climate solutions.” Rough estimates peg that at the very least, over 15 million Filipinos joined this year’s switch-off. Earth Hour organizers wish to thank all groups and sectors for again showing leadership in observing the global phenomenon. 

ABOUT EARTH HOUR:

Since its inception five years ago, Earth Hour has captured the world’s imagination by becoming a global phenomenon. Earth Hour 2010 inspired more than a billion people worldwide and over 15 million Filipinos in 1076 towns, cities and municipalities to switch off their lights for the planet. This year marks a stark difference in the objectives of the switch-off. No longer aiming for numbers, the switch-off aims for meaning. With climate change issues becoming more critical, WWF-Philippines aims to go beyond Earth Hour by launching a year-long information and education campaign on climate change for Filipinos, revolving around the themes of energy efficiency, renewable energy and climate adaptation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Atty. Gia Ibay

Earth Hour Philippines National Director

gibay@wwf.org.ph

Gregg Yan

Earth Hour Philippines Communications Head

gyan@wwf.org.ph

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