It’s that time of the year again, and Earth Hour is upon us. Last year, the Philippines ranked 3rd among the most successful countries as far as participation was concerned. It was a shining moment for us, that a good chunk of Filipinos are actually willing to do something, however small or symbolic you may perceive the event, to listen to what the Earth is telling us. Many naysayers say what use is turning off the lights for one hour, compared to 364 days of leaving it on? True, but we have to start somewhere. Remember, humankind was weaned on the notion that we are the alpha species, that like the dinosaurs before us, we rule the earth. That being the top predator, we have the right to use the planet and usurp every natural resource to our advantage. We’ve appropriated the rights of other living things on earth and declared it inferior to ours, as we decimate their ranks for food or sport, commandeer their habitats, experiment on their numbers for scientific research that benefit only us, among others. If tried as a species, we’d be found guilty of many crimes on a global scale. We use up the earth’s resources as if there were no other generations coming after us. We’ve used up what was for our children’s children. So is this whole symbolic event an exercise in futility? I’d like to think not. It’s good to be reminded, even on an annual basis, of the urgency of the situation. We gotta start somewhere. It would take generations before we shift our collective thinking into a more eco-friendly one. But if it isn’t already to late to turn back, we need to be the transition generation. We need to make sure the kids absorb the new way of thinking, the new world order, if they are to still have a planet to live on. We can’t give up. Throughout Ondoy, we’ve proven that we still have it in us, the spirit of making things right, no matter how wrong it’s gotten. It’s never too late to turn a new leaf.
If you’re in the Makati area, please join us, Delle and I will be hosting the Earth Hour Live! @ Glorietta 4 Park, 6pm. Performers will be Sitti, Jay Durias and True Faith. You can opt to turn off your lights in your homes or offices, 8:30-9:30pm, or you can join us and celebrate Earth Hour 2010 as a group! But wherever you may be, please join the rest of the millions all over the world to make a statement, to Vote for Earth, and turn off your lights for an hour on Saturday, March 27, 2010, from 8:30 to 9:30 in the evening.
For more details check out www.earthhour.org for more details on this global event.
