Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella. ALBERT ALCAIN/ Presidential Photo
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella on Saturday urged Filipinos to join the Earth Hour 2017.
The annual campaign that started in 2007 sets on the simple action of switching off lights for 60 minutes to highlight the need for decisive climate change solutions.
“This occasion is a good reminder of our commitment to fight climate change and our solidarity to the rest of the world in spreading the message that while we pursue economic development programs, we continuously aspire for sustainable, climate change-resilient living,” Abella said in a statement.
READ: Youth as climate leaders take center stage in Earth Hour 2017
“Switch off the lights for an hour at exactly 8:30 p.m. and show to the world that the Philippines is an Earth Hour hero country,” he added.
Since 2008, the Philippines has topped the switch-off in terms of participation records from 2009 to 2012, which earned it the title Earth Hour hero country.
This year’s celebration also comes in as President Rodrigo Duterte signed the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change last February 28 despite an earlier pronouncement that he had reservations toward it.
READ: Duterte finally signs Paris Agreement on climate change
The historic climate pact would cap greenhouse gas emissions, pursue the global development of renewable energy, and aid climate vulnerable countries to mitigate the harmful effects of climate change. To date, 133 countries of the 197 parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change have ratified the Paris accord. IDL