The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is calling for urgent and collective action against climate change.
In a video message on Saturday ahead of Earth Hour, DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga emphasized that the observance should not only instill awareness but should also be a call to action to combat climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
“As we turn off our lights tonight, let this be a symbol of the power we hold when we act together,” she said as she enjoined the public to observe Earth Hour 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
“Every fraction of a degree counts. Every small action multiplied across millions of people becomes a force for change,” she added.
Loyzaga said the world remains at a critical juncture despite efforts to preserve the environment.
She said the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Paris Agreement, and the Global Biodiversity Framework, among others, have outlined a shared vision for a more equitable and sustainable future.
However, latest data show that such efforts still fall short of achieving goals and targets.
“Greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate and pollution is infiltrating even the most remote ecosystems, from Arctic ice to the depths of the Philippine Trench,” Loyzaga warned.
She noted that the Philippines, as one of the most climate-vulnerable countries, experiences the impacts of climate change firsthand, pointing to extreme weather events that have hit the country in recent years.
“We face what scientists call the triple planetary crisis, climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The impacts are undeniable,” she said.
Loyzaga cited the record-breaking typhoon season experienced in 2024, with six consecutive storm systems battering the Philippines in under a month, which serves as a stark reminder of how climate change is intensifying extreme weather.
She lamented the worsening state of the country’s coral reefs due to rising sea temperatures, alongside the 2.7 million metric tons of plastic waste produced annually which pollute marine ecosystems and threaten food security.
Despite these challenges, Loyzaga expressed optimism, citing signs of reef recovery, active reforestation efforts, and the use of new technologies to monitor ecosystem health.
She likewise underscored the importance of collaboration among stakeholders and across sectors in building climate-resilient communities and transition toward a circular economy.
Small actions, when multiplied, lead to meaningful change, Loyzaga said.
“As we turn off our lights tonight, let this be a symbol of the power we hold when we act together. As I said in the beginning, every fraction of a degree counts. Every small action multiplied across millions of people becomes a force for change,” she said. “We broke this world. We must fix it. The time to act began yesterday.”
The Earth Hour, started by the World Wide Fund for Nature in Sydney in 2007, is a global movement where millions switch off their lights for one hour to show support for the planet.
It has since expanded to over 185 countries, inspiring environmental action and influencing policies while symbolizing a commitment to nature and sustainability. (PNA)
