The Department of Health (DOH) and the World-Wide Fund Philippines encouraged Filipinos to participate in Earth Hour 2023 on Saturday, March 25 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The annual event aims to raise awareness regarding the current situation and solutions to help address the climate crisis, as well as promote energy conservation through the simultaneous switching off of non-essential lights.
In solidarity with the celebration, the DOH invited the public to join the Sustainability Fair at Quezon Memorial Circle on Saturday, March 25.
The program will include speeches from WWF-Philippines and government officials, WWF ambassadors, musical performances, a video presentation, and a countdown to Earth Hour at 8:30 p.m.
“The DOH recognizes the crucial role of the environment in promoting health and well-being for Filipinos. Hence, it is also our responsibility to care for the environment as it would then take care of future generations of Filipinos,” DOH Officer-in-Charge Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire said.
“Makiisa po tayo dito dahil ang kalusugan ng kalikasan ay kalusugan din ng bawat tao,” Vergeire added.
Earth Hour has been known as the “lights off” movement where households, businesses, and cities turn off all non-essential lights for one hour to raise awareness about climate change.
The 2019 Global Climate Risk Index placed the Philippines fourth in the world for long-term climate change due to human activity. Additionally, the World Risk Report of 2022 ranked the Philippines first out of 180 countries with the highest disaster risk due to our geographic location, which makes the country vulnerable to climate-related hazards. – Katrina Gracia Consebido/cf
