VARIOUS youth groups in Negros Occidental have bannered the call for candidates in the coming national and local elections to make environmental protection and conservation top priority agendas during the observance of Earth Hour 2022 in the province over the weekend.
Bacolod Youth Coalition for Democracy Secretariat Lead Joshua Eusebio Jr., who spoke at the lights off ceremony at the Provincial Capitol grounds in Bacolod City on Saturday, March 26, said there is an urgent call for the local government unit to aggressively take part in the fight against environmental injustices.
Eusebio, who is also the advocacy and external relations manager of Negrosanon Young Leaders Institute, said it is very important to fight for climate justice and accept climate justice advocacy not just by certain groups but by everyone.
"The youth should take up the challenges of the climate justice agenda. We should not leave the challenge to a certain group, to our government officials, rather it should be a collaborative effort," the youth environment advocate added.
As he stressed that the discussion on climate change issues should not end in the present generation, Eusebio said the future generation should also enjoy the posterity and blessings of the environment.
Themed “Shape Our Future,” this year’s Earth Hour celebration was participated by some members of 14 youth organizations and provincial government employees.
It was highlighted by a one-hour switch off, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., and lighting of candles formed into the 60+ symbol, which is the campaign’s main logo.
The activity also included a talk on the significance and importance of Earth Hour, as well as song and dance performances for the environment.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, in a video message, said people must recognize their part in causing the problem [of climate warming] and accept the responsibility to do what needs to be done.
Lacson said participating in the switching off of lights for one hour shows that Negrenses are not only aware of the gravity of climate change and its impact on their lives, existence and planet.
“We are also willing and prepared to do our part to change the course of environmental destruction due to climate change,” he said, adding that climate change is a problem of global proportions but reducing its adverse impact must be done locally.
The governor also said, “as we turn off our lights, let this be the start of the many measures we are going to take to protect our habitat not only for ourselves but most importantly for our children and the generations next.”
For her part, Provincial Environment Management Office head lawyer Julie Ann Bedrio said the “fire is burning” among Negrense youth in calling for social change.
“In the middle of many destructions, I can see that deep inside the passion for the environment among our youth is alive,” Bedrio said, adding that the Earth Hour is not just an event, but a symbolic coming together of earth advocates.
“This is a symbol of unity to combat all forms of destruction against our planet and our steadfast commitment to continue the fight for a greener and healthier Mother Earth,” she noted.
The Earth Hour is an annual activity that 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.
WWF-Philippines earlier said the environmental movement aims to be a platform to encourage and mobilize collective action for the environment by educating and inspiring everyone, especially government leaders, to act for nature and climate.
The organization said Earth Hour 2022 movement takes the opportunity to educate and empower Filipino voters to #ChangeTheEnding for the Philippines by highlighting the issues in biodiversity conservation and climate change and raising these issues with people seeking office in the coming elections.
Along with the aim to encourage people to switch off in solidarity with the planet, Earth Hour 2022 also serves as a call to action to make every individual realize their role in shaping a new future for the people and the planet by taking small steps toward building a sustainable lifestyle, as well as urging the government and large-scale companies to help build a fairer, nature-positive and net-zero carbon future, it added.