Amid restrictions brought about by the prevailing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, Negrenses have conserved a total of about 17.5 megawatts (MW) in electricity during this year’s Earth Hour on Saturday, March 27.
The figure accounts for the reduction in power consumption noted by three electric cooperatives in Negros Occidental during the one-hour switch off starting 8:30 p.m.
The Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco), catering to the largest number of electric consumers in the province, noted the biggest reduction in power consumption of 14.25 MW.
The power distribution utility serves consumers in cities of Bacolod, Bago, Talisay and Silay, and towns of Murcia and Salvador Benedicto.
Malou Parocco, head of the cooperative’s Promotion Section, said the reduction can mainly be attributed to residential member-consumers.
“Most of the businesses are closed at night,” she said, adding that the utility recognized the participation of residential consumers in this year’s Earth Hour by putting off their lights in their respective houses.
The Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco), which caters to electric consumers in the north, from E.B. Magalona to San Carlos City, noted a load drop of two megawatts.
For the remaining towns and cities in the south, from Pulupandan to Hinoba-an, the Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noceco) shaved off about 1.3 MW in its power demand during the event.
The figure also accounts for the energy conserved by participating local government units (LGUs) and residential consumers, the cooperative said.
The Earth Hour is an annual activity which started in Australia in 2007.
It is part of the global movement initiated by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) that demonstrates support for protecting the planet and stopping climate change.
In Negros Occidental, public and private stakeholders in Negros Occidental joined the global event.
Though, unlike the previous years, there were no ceremonial switch off activities held in major establishments like malls this year due to the Covid-19 threat.
The provincial government switched off all the lights at the Provincial Capitol Building and Lagoon in Bacolod City for an hour.
Some employees of the Provincial Environment Management Office (Pemo) lit candles at the Capitol steps to mark the event dubbed #Connect2Earth.
Olive Seruelo, information officer of Pemo, said study shows that the number one contributor of carbon dioxide emission is the energy sector in which sources of transportation and power belong.
In fact, 50 percent of the carbon dioxide comes from this sector, Seruelo said.
“We can be able to contribute in protecting the earth through one, observing energy conservation tips,” she said, adding that “switch off, unplug and conserve energy like walking instead of driving.”
For the Bacolod City Government, Mayor Evelio Leonardia earlier ordered the switching of lights in the city government facilities including the New Government Center and public plaza.
“All city government employees are likewise enjoined to observe Earth Hour in their respective homes by switching off their lights and turning off their electrical appliances as their own contribution in saving energy and fighting climate change,” the city government said.
The City Government of Bago also switched off the lights at the city hall and its other facilities like the coliseum and plaza, among others.
The WWF-Philippines, in its website, said Earth Hour united individuals, businesses and leaders from all over the world to shine a spotlight on the health of the planet, raising awareness on the importance of nature and inspiring action for a brighter future for nature and people.
The group said with Covid-19 safety regulations continuing in several parts of the world, many countries celebrated Earth Hour online, mobilizing millions of people from across the globe to speak up for nature.
As lights dimmed in homes and cities, Earth Hour brought people together to put a virtual spotlight on our planet and the role people can play in global efforts for nature, it said.
“With mounting evidence establishing a close link between nature's destruction and rising incidences of infectious disease outbreaks like Covid-19, Earth Hour served as an unmissable opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of nature, in a year when leaders will take key decisions on nature,?climate change and?sustainable development,” it added.