President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday called on the entire Filipino nation to join the observance of Earth Hour to mitigate the devastating effects of climate change.

The President said Malacanang will observe Earth Hour by switching off non-essential lights during Earth Hour today.

In a video message, the President noted that the Philippines is battered with an average of 20 typhoons yearly, “making it one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change.”

“As the earth’s temperature gets warmer, with the world’s carbon footprint reaching a new all-time high of 36.8 gigaton in 2022, the world braces for the irreversible impact of climate change,” President Marcos pointed out.

“It only takes 60 minutes to do good for our future, 60 minutes to take notice and commit to saving Mother Nature to be united and take action because together nothing is impossible,” the chief executive said as he noted that in doing so people are giving “Mother Nature 60 minutes to breathe.”

Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organized by the World Wildlife Fund.

The event is held annually, encouraging individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights, for one hour, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the Saturday of March, as a symbol of commitment to the planet.

President Marcos said the observance of Earth Hour will also help the government enforce its action plans that will benefit the planet.

“So at this hour, let us stop, slow down and dedicate a moment to help the Earth breathe and heal anew. May this shared activity remind everyone that environmental preservation is an inter-generational responsibility and that it should become our individual and collective priority in the pursuit of progress and prosperity,” the President said.

“Let us become part of the solution and embark on advocacies, programs and initiatives that will help us protect and preserve the Earth, our only home,” President Marcos said. (PND)