NEWSROOM

Philippines Shines Brightest in Earth's Darkest Hour

Over 15 Million Filipinos in 647 Cities and Towns Flick the Switch

It was literally Earth’s darkest hour – but the 7107 isles of the Philippines shone the brightest.

When the clock struck 8:30 on Saturday night, the 28th of March, over 15 million Filipinos in 650 major cities and towns switched off lights for 60 minutes to join the world in celebrating Earth Hour – an initiative of WWF, the Department of Energy, Green Army Network and SWITCH movement. Organizers are jubilant at the sheer scale and success of the movement nationwide.

Boosting the effort is broad corporate support, led by sponsorships from Philips, SM Supermalls, Pilipinas Shell, Malampaya Joint Venture Partners (Shell Exploration, Chevron and PNOC), First Gen Corp., FocusMedia Audiovisuals, Energy Development Corp., Meralco and Ayala Land.

The nation edged out all other countries for the most number of participating cities and towns, trailed by Greece with 484 and Australia with 309 - proving that Filipinos can rise up to the challenge of climate change.

The inaugural Earth Hour in 2007 involved just two million people in one city – Sydney in Australia. Some 53 million in 371 cities in 35 countries took up the rallying cry in 2008. This year’s overwhelming participation reflects growing global concern over climate change and the inability of the world so far to craft an effective global response. Organizers hoped for the participation of at least 1000 cities and towns worldwide.

At least 3943 communities from 88 countries across 25 time zones heeded this year’s call. Again, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who pitched in to find light amidst the darkness.

For more information:

Naderev "Yeb" Saño
Earth Hour National Director, WWF-Philippines
920-7923/26/31, 0917-807-9089
nmsano@wwf.org.ph

Gregg Yan
Information, Education & Communications Officer, WWF-Philippines
920-7923/26/31, 0917-833-4734
gyan@wwf.org.ph