Last year, Sydney made a powerful statement about global warming by turning off its lights. Over 2.2 million Sydney residents and over 2,100 businesses switched off their lights, which led to a 10.2% energy reduction across the city. This event was the first ever Earth Hour.

This year, the Earth Hour has been turned into a global movement. The whole world will make a stand against one of the greatest threats our planet currently face. Tonight at 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM, 24 cities around the globe will participate in Earth Hour 2008 and I am very proud to say that Manila, my Manila, is one of them.

Manila will switch off its lights for an hour tonight to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming. We shall witness the entire stretch of Roxas Boulevard, a road that spans through 3 cities from Manila to Parañaque, join the rest of the world for Earth Hour. Likewise, the City of Makati will take part in the event by turning their lights off along Buendia, Kalayaan, JP Rizal and Ayala Avenue.

According to the Earth Hour website, even SM Mall of Asia will shut down its lights for Earth Hour. Similarly, HSBC, Intel, Canon, Coke, Jollibee, Greenwhich, and Chowking will be participating in Earth Hour by turning off the lights from their billboards and signages.

I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE each one of us to take part in this campaign to prove that we, the people of the world, can effectively work together and fight global warming.

The Earth Hour is just the first big step, but we know that the real challenge goes way beyond this great start. From switching off lights to unplugging appliances when not in use, we can live up to our commitment to save our planet. Together, our simple efforts can collectively make a difference.

We can change the world. We can make everyday an Earth Hour.

So tonight at 8 PM, let's be one with the world. Let's turn out our lights for one hour.

One hour, Manila. Earth Hour.

Labels: Earth Hour