By Marisol Tuso
|
March 31, 2024
Nestled within the picturesque Siargao Island, Del Carmen commemorated its 12th year of participating in Earth Hour, joining a global movement that advocates for environmental stewardship.
Earth Hour serves as a symbolic gesture, urging individuals, communities, and businesses to switch off non-essential lights for one hour, demonstrating their dedication to our planet. It is a collective effort to raise awareness about climate change and the pressing need for sustainable environmental practices. It unites communities by encouraging personal accountability and behavioral change to facilitate a low-carbon lifestyle. Taking the first step is as easy as turning off your lights.
This year, the Municipality of Del Carmen called for the end of plastic pollution. The local government rallied its constituents to acknowledge their ecological footprint. By participating in this global movement, the activity also aims to encourage people to commit to fight climate change and build a better future for our planet.
In addition to the symbolic act of turning off non-essential lights for an hour, the Municipality of Del Carmen hosted a comprehensive one-day event beginning with a coastal clean-up and tree planting. The day also included the soft launch of the Del Carmen Mangrove Boardwalk Learning Center, a sustainability fair featuring various non-government organizations and their community partners, a sustainable fashion show organized by the Sangguniang Kabataan of Del Carmen and the Local Youth Development Council, and the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement for the Plastics-Free Campaign, generously supported by the Embassy of Netherlands. The culmination of the observance is marked by the Earth Hour Lights Off ceremony, accompanied by lively band music, creating a memorable and impactful experience for all participants.
The Earth Hour is an annual event organized by the WWF. It originated in Sydney, Australia in 2007 as a lights-out event and has since expanded to involve millions of supporters across more than 185 countries and territories. In the Philippines, the Department of Energy (DOE), various government agencies, and local government units lead the observance. The initiative aims to raise awareness, educate the public, and implement practical measures for environmental conservation.
***
Marisol is the Mindanao Coordinator of The Climate Reality Project Philippines. She has been working in the development sector for 16 years. She is a specialist in training, institution and community development, information, education, and communication (IEC), and gender and social inclusion. Aside from being a broadcast journalist since 1997, she also served as the Project Coordinator of the Global Fund for Malaria Component Project for 10 years and as Training and IEC Specialist of the Philippine Cold Chain Project.
ABOUT HISGUTANANG KLIMA SA MINDANAO
Hisgutanang Klima or “Climate Discussions” is a space that aims to amplify the climate stories and initiatives of the more than 100 Pinoy Climate Reality Leaders in Mindanao.
It is one of the regular columns launched by The Climate Reality Project Philippines to elevate the climate discourse and strengthen climate action across all regions in the Philippines.
