The Department of Energy (DOE) said the country saved a total of 62.69 megawatts (MW) during one-hour lights off during Earth Hour on Saturday, March 25.
DOE reported Luzon saved 32.29 MW, Mindanao 20.5 MW, and Visayas 8.9 MW.
This after the country participated in the one-hour switch off between 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
“This also illustrates how purposeful behavior could achieve something big and worthy,” DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla said.
“Imagine when individuals, businesses, government, and communities unite not only during Earth Hour but in making energy conservation their everyday way of ife, the overall impact would be even much bigger,” Lotilla added.
He also urged the public to conserve energy by switching off non-essential lights.
“Let us help sustain the momentum by simply constantly practicing energy conservation measures at home, offices, communities, and businesses from switching off non-essential lights to choosing more energy efficient appliances, equipment and machines,” Lotilla said.
“These are simple yet valuable actions that we can do easily not only for our planet but more especially during periods of high demand such as this summer season,” he added.
In 2007, Sydney started Earth Hour, a symbolic lights-out event to address global environmental issues.
It is the largest grassroots movement to unite people across the world to address climate and biodiversity issues. – gb
