Switch Off Those Lights for Earth Hour 2009

Earth Hour 2009 is happening this Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 8:30pm - 9:30pm local time. This is going to be a huge event taking place worldwide with over 2100 cities in 82 countries participating. Here's how the official event organizers' site describe the goal for this year's Earth Hour:

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Watch the Earth Hour 2009 video:

For more information please visit:

• Earth Hour Official Web Site
  

Media credits:

• Photo of Earth Hour Logo courtesy of Earth Hour.org

Tags for this post: Earth Hour 2009, climate change, global warming, environment

Return to Manila Connection Home

Philippine Eco Tourism in Facebook

I recently joined a group in Facebook called the Philippine EcoTourism group, and this band of good people, true-blue nature lovers all, is definitely doing its own part in protecting the environment.

Gone are the days though when environmental advocacy means protecting the environment at all costs. It used to be that environmental groups look at local residents in a threatened ecological niche as adversaries in the fight to save the environment. These days, as Philippine Eco Tourism advocates, local residents are treated as partners in environmental protection.

Photo Courtesy of John Lubos

The group aims to promote "sustainable tourism within a natural and cultural heritage area where community participation, protection and manangement of natural resources, culture and indigenous knowledge and practices, environmental education and ethics, as well as economic benefits are fostered and pursued for the enrichment of host communities and the satisfaction of visitors."

The bottomline is tourism, in the context of Philippine Eco Tourism's programs, is geared not only towards protecting and preserving the environment in the Philippines but also in providing a sustainable space where local residents can live in and thrive.

Force of Nature

I believe in "walking the talk" in any advocacy. The fight to save the environment begins closer to home - with myself - first and foremost. Casting my vote for Mother Earth means living a lifestyle that's nature-friendly. Recycle, plant trees, buy organic and fair-trade products, car pool, walk, bike, aim towards paperless transactions, oh, we could go on and on with a mile-long list of things each of us can do to help save the Earth.

Having said that, there are things beyond our individual capacities to change, however. How can you hope to succeed in stopping dynamite-fishing in Manila Bay, or the degradation of the centuries-old rice terraces, or the destruction of mangrove forests in Camiguin, all by yourself? You can't. And so we band together to make our voices heard, to create a larger impact in our collective actions. A veritable force of nature effecting long-term and meaningful change - all for the good of the Earth - that's what we become when we group together.

Photo Courtesy of www.morguefile.com

The Philippine Eco Tourism Group in Facebook is designed (and ably led by its founder, Violeta Imperial) as a venue for Filipinos and other nationalities who share the same abiding concern for the environment. If you're already in Facebook, please feel free to join the group and discover what you can contribute for the earth.

The primary group in the Philippines behind the one in Facebook is the Nature Awareness and Conservation Club, Inc (NACCI). Go and check out the different nature tours you can join.