Give an hour for Earth today. Turn off non-essential electric lights for one hour from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., to raise awareness on environmental issues and promote energy conservation.
Every year in late March, millions of people across the globe unite to show that they care about the future of our planet by switching off for one hour.
Earth Hour, on March 22, is an annual event which started in 2007. It has become a global movement with millions of participants in more than 190 countries and territories. Initiated by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in 2007, Earth Hour began as a symbolic lights-off event in Sydney, Australia, to draw attention to climate change. In 2008, just a year after it started, more than 50 million people across 35 countries took part, with iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, USA, and Rome’s Colosseum in Italy going dark in solidarity. The movement has continued to grow, inspiring millions worldwide to take action for the planet.
The WWF leads Earth Hour globally with the WWF-Philippines spearheading the movement in collaboration with various sectors to promote environmental awareness and action.
The Department of Energy (DOE), which leads government initiatives to support Earth Hour, has urged the public to adopt responsible energy and water conservation practices in line with the theme – “Switch off and secure water for all.”
Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla stressed the interdependence of energy and water; that every kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed requires water – whether for cooling processes in thermal power plants, hydropower systems, or the energy needed to pump and distribute water.
Various organizations and businesses actively support Earth Hour. For instance, the Jollibee Group announced that over 4,300 of its stores across 16 markets will turn off their lights on March 22 at 8:30 p.m. local time, demonstrating their commitment to the cause. Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, in collaboration with WWF, will lead Earth Hour 2025 with a series of sustainability-focused events, one of them the Bike Parade, a community ride in partnership with Firefly Brigade and Greenpeace PH.
SM Supermalls and Robinsons Malls will also be switching off lights for Earth Hour and will hold various events on Sustainability.
Moreover, local government units are organizing activities to engage communities. For example, the City Government of San Fernando, La Union, is hosting an Earth Hour 2025 Poster Making Contest, encouraging residents to showcase their love for the environment through art.
In many schools across the country, activities and programs are held to strengthen awareness on environmental issues, and nurture a love for nature.
Switching off the lights on Earth Hour has expanded to other actions to protect the planet. In 2023, the “Biggest Hour for Earth” movement asked everyone to switch off and give an hour for the planet to the “Hour Bank.” In just the first year of the campaign, WWF reached more than 410,000 hours pledged in the “Hour Bank.” In 2024, supporters from more than 180 countries collectively contributed over 1.4 million hours through the “Hour Bank,” which collects initiatives from individuals who do something positive for the planet for 60 minutes.
Supporting Earth Hour goes beyond the symbolic act of turning off lights; it represents a commitment to sustainable living and environmental stewardship. By participating, individuals and organizations demonstrate their dedication to reducing energy consumption, mitigating climate change, and preserving natural resources for future generations.
Collective actions, even as simple as switching off lights for an hour, can lead to significant positive environmental impacts when adopted globally.
By turning off our lights for one hour tonight, we not only conserve energy but also signal our commitment to a sustainable future.
