IT started with a question: How can we inspire people to take action on climate change?

The answer: Ask the people to turn off their lights for one hour.

This coming 29 March 2008, from 8 to 9 in the evening, the Philippines will join cities in Europe, America and Asia by switching off lights and electrical gadgets as part of a global movement termed Earth Hour. Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao “Peewee” Trinidad agreed to turn off all lights along Manila’s historical Roxas Boulevard seaside strip for 60 minutes on 29 March to show support. WWF lauds Mayor Trinidad and Pasay’s commitment to become beacons for other cities within the country.

Created to take a stand against the greatest threat our planet has ever faced, Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning off lights for an hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming. This simple act has captured the hearts and minds of people all over the world.

“On behalf of the WWF International network, I want to commend and thank the mayors and officials in our flagship cities for playing a leadership role in supporting this unique global event and demonstrating their commitment to fighting climate change,” says WWF Director General James Leape.

Launched in Australia on the 31st of March 2007, Earth Hour moved 2.2 million people and 2100 businesses in Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour. This massive collective effort reduced the city’s energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour, which is the equivalent effect of taking 48,000 cars off the road for an hour.

With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.

Says Leape, “Earth Hour will send a strong signal that people all around the world are deeply concerned and expect their leaders to take action before it’s too late. Climate change is a global challenge that requires global solutions and it’s clear that the people of this planet are ready to get involved and find the answers.”

Climate change is the biggest threat to earthbound life and much of the Philippines’ 7107 isles are susceptible to rising sea levels and unpredictable weather patterns. Luckily, Filipinos have a distinctive Bayanihan spirit – a brotherhood of kinship that unites people towards a common goal. The Philippines stands united in the fight against climate change and its impacts to the country and throughout the ASEAN region.

WWF-Philippines calls on private corporations, local groups, schools and the entire nation to participate in this momentous event by shutting off appliances for an hour on the 29th. Your participation will go a long way in spreading the message that we, as individual droplets working collectively – can create an impetus far more powerful than the mightiest of rivers.

Sign up for Earth Hour now at: www.earthhour.org.