WWF-Philippines Calls for Filipinos to Join Earth Hour 2023: The Biggest Hour For Earth

 

The countdown to the Biggest Hour on Earth is set for March 25, Saturday, when millions of people across the world will converge around major world landmarks, cities, and communities to switch off their lights for 60 minutes – starting at 8:30 pm, as part of a global movement to save the planet. In the Philippines, national landmarks, office buildings, government offices, and individual houses will all join in as a sign of a broader commitment towards addressing our planet's sustainability.

The Earth Hour global celebration started as a symbolic event in Sydney, Australia in 2007 and has grown into one of the world’s largest grassroots environmental movements spanning over 7,000 cities and 193 countries and territories. The Philippines joined in 2008, making this year’s Earth Hour the fifteenth time the celebration is observed.

Several community partners will also be participating in this year’s main Switch Off event in the Quezon City Memorial Circle: World Vision Philippines, Oxfam Pilipinas, Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Association of Young Environmental Journalists, and De La Salle University among others. Their participation demonstrates solidarity among fellow environment and development groups in coming together for a common cause to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.

As humanity's unsustainable demands on the natural world are leading to climate breakdown, habitat loss, and decline of wildlife, Earth Hour is celebrated every year on the last Saturday of March as an opportunity to invite individuals and institutions to take substantive measures for the planet. The core message of this movement lies in going “Beyond the Hour” – essentially, the actions people can do after the lights go back on.

"This year's Earth Hour is about the Biggest Hour for Earth – an hour wherein we begin to do good for our shared tomorrow and our shared home. As we face an uncertain future with our planet's deteriorating biodiversity, further threatened by our changing climate, two of the biggest challenges we confront, we must act sooner and more decisively. Thus, we are reaching out to governments, cities, businesses, and individuals to be part of the solution in bringing positive changes for the planet,” said Atty. Angela Ibay, Climate and Energy Program Head of WWF-Philippines and Earth Hour Pilipinas National Director.

“The Philippines has repeatedly been on the top list of countries most vulnerable to climate change, and we are a mega-biodiverse country. Many do not realize that nature is our climate's secret ally. We want Filipinos to not only appreciate what we have, but we also stand to lose. Thus, we all need to be responsible in shaping our future, and hopefully, we'll be changing the ending for the positive – for both people and the planet,” Ibay said.

WWF-Philippines’ Earth Hour Ambassador Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski shared what this movement means for everyone saying: “Having been an Earth Hour Ambassador for so long has taught me one important lesson, it is that there are always people who care regardless of their nationality, their social status, their job, or even their age.”

“There are so many people who care about the planet. We have to keep that in mind amid so much negativity. The fact that we are able to see each other again face-to-face after what seemed like an eternity being in lockdown shows that things can get better for the planet,” she said.

This year’s Earth Hour celebration in the Philippines will be the first in-person event since 2020 before lockdowns due to COVID-19 forced the celebration to go online. For a decade since its inception back in 2007, Earth Hour focused on building awareness of climate change. In 2018, the movement’s focus pivoted to include both climate and nature as their interconnectivity became more evident, with human activity causing direct negative impacts on nature and the environment, contributing to biodiversity loss and climate change. 

While COVID-19 has prevented people from interacting in person, this has been an opportunity to connect to millions of people in digital spaces and engage with decision-making institutions to secure a new deal for nature with the aim of halting the loss of biodiversity by the end of the decade.

Quezon City has been a continuous partner of WWF-Philippines and Earth Hour for many years. Earth Hour was last held in Quezon City Circle in 2015. Quezon City was also a finalist in the recent One Planet Cities Challenge (OPCC) 2021-2022. OPCC is a friendly global competition initiated by WWF to recognize cities for their climate actions and ambitions and assess whether they align with the goals set forth in the Paris Agreement in limiting climate change to 1.5 °C.

“According to the UN, cities are responsible for over 70% of global carbon emissions. However, cities can also drive emission reduction efforts and transition to a carbon-neutral future. Recognizing the crucial role of cities in creating a sustainable future, Quezon City made a conscious and deliberate effort to address climate change from a local perspective,” said Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte.

“We enhanced our local climate change action plan (LCCAP), which outlines our efforts up to the year 2050 to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. Integral to the development of the LCCAP was the conduct of a GHG emissions inventory, which allowed the city to measure and better understand the emissions contributed by different sectors. Based on the inventory, the stationary energy sector accounts for 60% of carbon emissions. This refers to fixed locations such as homes, buildings, and factories. Reducing emissions in this sector is critical. Hence, a combination of measures such as increasing the use of renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency are our priority actions,” Belmonte added.

WWF-Philippines Executive Director Katherine Custodio highlighted the importance of the in-person gathering, stating: "Earth Hour has always been about individual actions that taken collectively makes a difference. By having an event like Earth Hour we are affirming the power of our individual simple action. We are affirming that people care about our shared future.”

“You may have heard the argument that the Philippines emits only 0.39% of GHG-so why should our country commit to further reduction. Well, if all the countries that account for less than a percent in total account for a third of global GHG. That is a big component. Please also remember that we are one of the most impacted by climate change - and if we don’t act who will?” she added.

March 25 will also be the start of the annual Earth Hour Virtual Run, a self-paced virtual run that aims to promote a sustainable and healthy lifestyle, raise environmental awareness, and support conservation efforts of WWF-Philippines. The run will last for a month up to April 22, wherein participants can choose their running distances from 10 km to 60 km. The registration started on February 3 and will end on April 9.

KD Montenegro, WWF-Philippines’ Individual Donor Program (IDP) Manager said that the continuing partnership with Pinoy Fitness for this year’s Earth Hour Virtual Run reflects the “sustained commitment and responsibility towards protecting the environment.”  

 

“Because we are runners and into fitness, we understand that a healthy environment is necessary for us to have a healthy body. Pinoy Fitness provides this platform for Filipinos to stay fit and give back to the environment. We believe in going beyond Earth Hour and literally going the extra mile to ensure a healthy future for everyone,” she added.

Earth Hour 2023 is co-presented by Quezon City Government, together with our Official Communications and PR Partner, COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises, and supported by the Department of Energy, Climate Change Commission, League of Cities of the Philippines, League of Provinces of the Philippines, Department of Agriculture, Court of Appeals, Department of Health, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Information and Communications Technology,  National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and the National Parks Development Committee

Visit www.earthhour.org to learn more about events happening this Earth Hour around the world. Follow WWF-Philippines on social media for updates and events related to Earth Hour Philippines 2023. Lend your support to the environment with the official Earth Hour hashtags #EarthHour2023, #EarthHourPhilippines2023 and #BiggestHourForEarth.

    

About WWF-Philippines

 

The World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines is an environmental non-government organization committed to create an impact on biodiversity protection and to respond to the climate crisis - towards a safe and just recovery. WWF-Philippines works with a host of partners including national and local governments, to co-create inclusive, innovative and interdisciplinary solutions that emphasize the role of science in the service of life. WWF-Philippines' focus is on scaled solutions with our partners to match the enormity of the tasks required to address the urgent environmental challenges facing the present and next generations of Filipinos. Its mission is "to stop, and eventually reverse the accelerating degradation of the Philippine environment – to build a future where Filipinos live in harmony with nature."

 

WWF-Philippines supports the implementation of the Extended Producers Responsibility Law

 

Conservation group World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines) is releasing a white paper to help the Philippine government in the upcoming implementation of the Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) Law.

 

After years of dialogues, the Extended Producers Responsibility Act of 2022 finally lapsed into law last July 23, 2022. Right after its passage, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) started multi-sectoral consultations to craft the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the EPR Law.

 

WWF-Philippines lauds this monumental achievement in the battle against plastic pollution as the EPR scheme is a critical policy tool that holds producers accountable for the full life cycle of their products and packaging. EPR is an environmental policy approach that emerged in the 1990s and is now increasingly recognized globally as a useful tool for accelerating the transition to sustainable waste management and a circular economy. This scheme encourages waste reduction through the elimination of unnecessary packaging of products, the development of more environmentally friendly packaging design, and the recovery of plastic packaging from the trash in order to reuse or recycle them back into the production process.

 

To successfully implement the EPR Law in the country, WWF-Philippines, through discussions with other stakeholders from different sectors, highlights several key points that the IRR must include and give clarity.

 

First, the IRR must clarify the role and powers of the Producer Responsibility Operator (PRO) as they will play a huge role in the implementation of the EPR system. Public registries and information data banks should also be readily available for monitoring and guidance.

 

Secondly, eco-modulation or the adjustment of the EPR fees based on the packaging of the product should be emphasized and ensure that the fees will support the improvement of our solid waste management system. Investments should also be made in research and development, technology sharing, and the reduction of plastic waste in the country.

 

Another important point that WWF-Philippines underscores is labeling, which is an important aspect to facilitate proper re-use, recycling, return-to-manufacturer, and other means to circulate the material in the system. Lastly, EPR programs should be inclusive and integrated into the existing solid waste management system of our country.

 

“We at WWF-Philippines commends the Philippine government for taking concrete actions against plastic pollution. EPR Law is a very important instrument that will shape the future of our initiatives against plastic pollution. Our work now is to implement together with all stakeholders and ensure that we are adopting a human-rights-based approach in doing so.”, said Czarina Constantino - Panopio, Program Manager for No Plastics in Nature initiative.

 

According to studies by WWF-Philippines, Filipinos each consume a yearly average of 20kgs of plastics, and 15.43kgs of it becomes total plastic waste. The country is also suffering from a very low plastic recycling rate of 9%. The report further estimates that the Philippines leaks about 35% of plastic waste into the environment.

 

WWF-Philippines actively pushes for actions against plastic pollution through its “No Plastic in Nature Initiative”. It is WWF’s global initiative to stop the flow of plastics entering nature by 2030 through the elimination of unnecessary plastics, doubling reuse, recycling, and recovery, and ensuring remaining plastic is sourced responsibly. Through this initiative, WWF-Philippines has been working with cities on plastic leakage, policymakers to advocate for a global treaty on plastic pollution and EPR, businesses to transition to circular business models, and the general public to campaign and act.

 

To know more about WWF-Philippines and its initiatives, please visit https://wwf.org.ph/

 

About WWF

 

WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations,

with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in nearly 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

 

WWF-Philippines has been working as a national organization of the WWF network since 1997 and implements various conservation projects to help protect some of the most biologically-significant ecosystems in Asia. WWF-Philippines works to improve Filipino lives by crafting solutions to climate change, providing sustainable livelihood programs, and conserving the country’s richest marine and land habitats.

WWF-Philippines asserts support to the UN Environment Assembly in adopting new treaty on plastic pollution

 

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is one with the Philippines and other United Nations (UN) countries in a push for a new global treaty on plastic pollution, which will be discussed at this year’s UN Environment Assembly or UNEA 5.2.

 

The Philippines is a co-sponsor of the Peru and Rwanda Resolution which proposes that UNEA establishes an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) with a mandate to prepare a new legally binding global agreement that would form part of international law.

 

At UNEA 5.2, happening this February 28 to March 4, 2022 to also coincide with the 10th anniversary of its creation and the 50th anniversary of the UN Environment Programme, UN Member States are expected to adopt a decision to start negotiations on a new treaty on plastic pollution. More than three-fourths of the UN membership publicly support the development of a new global agreement along with more than 2.1 million individuals, 25 financial institutions, and more than 60 companies globally.

 

WWF takes a stand that the creation of a new treaty on plastic pollution will be beneficial not only to the environment but also to the businesses involved in the cycle, by mainly standardizing compliance. The organization has long been conducting research and forwarding policies that could curb plastic pollution worldwide.

 

In the Philippines, WWF recently conducted its solid waste management baseline study in Philippine ports. They are also pushing for the implementation of the Extended Producers Responsibility Scheme to make an impact on the worsening plastic problem in the country.

 

WWF is also working closely with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and climate and environmental consultancy group Parabukas to discuss the needs and wants of the Philippines for a global treaty.

 

The groups agreed to support the enhancement of various local cities’ zero waste programs, which when implemented on a national level can be improved by a global treaty. Availability and investment into reusable alternative and reuse systems must also be taken into consideration.

 

“We would like to work with the global community on how to address the plastic problem as we know that plastic pollution is a transboundary and cross-sectoral problem that cannot be solved through national or regional initiatives alone. We hope that UNEA 5.2 and its member states join us and support the start of negotiations towards a global legally binding agreement on plastic pollution and come up with a lifecycle approach on plastics,” shared Mr. Albert Magalang, Chief of Climate Change Division from the Department of Natural Resources (DENR).

Additionally, WWF-Philippines’ National Youth Council is also encouraging the public, especially the youth, to participate in the country’s various efforts to move towards a sustainable green earth, free from plastic pollution, and more importantly, to support the new proposed treaty it co-sponsored for nature.

 

“We believe that it is not too late to take action and save our environment. Through this global treaty, we look forward to a united and swift action so that our future generations may live in a better and greener environment,” said Mr. Mirus Ponon, member of WWF-Philippines’ National Youth Council.

 

WWF Philippines Executive Director, Ms. Katherine Custodio remains optimistic that everyone’s efforts on pushing for the treaty will come to fruition, “It’s high time we demand a treaty for an issue that continues to be a growing problem for the world: plastic pollution. WWF, together with our partners, are united to bring to light a new global treaty to address this and improve our solutions for nature.”

 

To know more about WWF-Philippines and its initiatives, please visit https://wwf.org.ph/

 

About WWF

 

WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in nearly 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

 

WWF-Philippines has been working as a national organization of the WWF network since 1997 and implements various conservation projects to help protect some of the most biologically-significant ecosystems in Asia. WWF-Philippines works to improve Filipino lives by crafting solutions to climate change, providing sustainable livelihood programs, and conserving the country’s richest marine and land habitats.

 

 

WWF-Philippines, Cisco Systems make pitch for food security in Northern Palawan amid pandemic

 

A farmer plants rice in a field on the island municipality of Dumaran, Northern Palawan. WWF-Philippines and WWF-Singapore are pushing for food security for Dumaran. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines

In a bid for sustainable food security, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines, with the help of Cisco Systems, has committed to the construction of food sheds in rural communities in Northern Palawan.

 

The project comes in response to livelihood disruptions caused by the pandemic. With lockdown restrictions making travel between towns difficult, many farmers and fishers have had difficulty selling their produce. Regional tourism has also plummeted, pushing coastal communities once reliant on visiting tourists further into poverty.

 

Loss of livelihood and rising poverty has also placed additional pressure on natural resources, as ailing communities increasingly turn to fishing to meet their daily needs.

 

To counteract this, WWF-Philippines will oversee the construction of food sheds in twenty communities across the island of Dumaran. A third-class municipality in Northeastern Palawan, Dumaran is separated from the mainland by a thin stretch of water – and in turn has suffered resource shortages throughout the pandemic.

 

“What they need is a way to grow their own food in the absence of stable livelihoods. With a food shed, you can grow healthy food for less land, with less of an impact to the environment. Food sheds offer a very good, very stable supplement to their current food production methods,” added WWF-Philippines Project Manager Monci Hinay.

 

Hinay has overseen the construction of food sheds in farming communities across the country. Through the Sustainable Food Systems program, he and his team have promoted sustainable livelihoods and food securities in towns struggling with sparse resources.

 

The food sheds slated for construction in Dumaran are a combination of low-tech, low-cost gardening innovations that are easily replicable in rural communities. Made of bamboo poles and recycled plastics, the food sheds combine container gardening and hydroponics systems in a multi-level food production system that can handle both poultry and a wide variety of crops.

 

Each food shed also lowers environmental pressure from fishing communities. With a sustainable supply of fresh produce growing in each food shed, their reliance on fisheries decreases, granting fish stocks room to grow.

 

Home to endangered species like the Philippine Cockatoo and the Philippine Pangolin, Dumaran is a biodiversity hotspot and an important site for conservationists. Dumaran and the neighboring Araceli are part of a group of six municipalities that comprise the Northeast Palawan Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network, a system of connected MPAs established by WWF-Philippines for the conservation of the regions’ marine resources.

 

“We’re looking at a win-win scenario, both for these communities and for the environment. People need to eat. The environment needs room to recover. With these food sheds, both is possible,” said Hinay.