Earth Hour organizers dare Filipinos to commit to lifestyle-changing 'challenges'

Using social media tools and consumer business tactics, organizers of this year's Earth Hour mobilization on March 23 challenged Filipinos anew to commit to simple and habit-forming lifestyle changes that can slow down global warming.

 

Earth Hour organizers also enlisted the support of equestrian and children's television advocate Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski and GMA Network Kapuso celebrities, including Michael V. and Ogie Alcasid, to prod more people to make the Philippines the world leader for the fifth straight year in reducing carbon emissions from electric power consumption.

 

World Wildlife Fund-Philippines vice chairman and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan said Filipinos have proven that they can sustain their drive “to make a difference by coming together” by channeling the same spirit that made the 1986 EDSA revolt happen.

 

Interviewed by GMA News Online, Tan said sustained intiative of the private sector and citizens—not government leadership or intervention—is what will ensure broader success of efforts to protect the environment and conserve natural resources.

 

The simple steps to save the planet from human excesses “go beyond just switching off the lights on March 23” according to Earth Hour national director Atty. Gia Ibay. She said there are many choices ranging from playing outdoors to unplugging from electrical or electronic devices to helping clean up the street in front of their homes.

 

Ibay and Tan also said that pitching in to help sustain WWF Philippines' projects with small donations and simple steps have been made much easier with the collaboration of corporate partners, who took turns during the event launch to share how they can prod consumers to do the right things for the environment. Among the means available to Earth-friendly Filipinos are contributions via automated teller machines, bringing reusable tumblers to avail of upsized refreshments, and converting to light emitting diode (LED) lamps from incandescent bulbs to avail of purchase discounts.

 

In his “I Will If You Will” challenge posted on YouTube and the Earth Hour 2013 website, Kapuso celebrity and fitness enthusiast Rovilson Fernandez said he will conduct a Crossfit class for free if at least 1,000 people will pledge to use reusable bags instead of plastic bags.  

Cojuangco-Jaworski said in her “I Will If You Will” challenge that if 500 Filipinos will stop smoking for five days, she will contribute five hundred fruit-bearing trees to a watershed area.  

Earth Hour Philippines organizers will be able to track how many take up the celebrities' challenges via the website at wwf.org.ph/earthhour. The website went live Wednesday.  — KG, GMA News