MANILA, Philippines – THE world will again be engulfed in darkness for one hour on March 26, 2011, in observance of the fifth year of Earth Hour. This has become a global phenomenon due to the increasing number of countries, cities, and towns that commit each year to join the effort to help save Mother Nature and the environment.

Earth Hour is organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), It asks households, businesses, and communities to turn off lights and other appliances for one hour – 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. – on the last Saturday of March, to raise awareness of the need to take action on climate change. Over a billion people participated last year, making it the largest environmental event in history. WWF is one of the world’s largest conservation groups, with some five million supporters and a network active in 100 countries.

Over the past two years, the Philippines has topped Earth Hour participation with 10 million Filipinos in 647 cities and towns switching off in 2009, and 15 million in 1,076 cities and towns joining in 2010. WWF-Philippines expects more people, cities, and towns to join this year, asking them not only to participate in the 60-minute switch-off, but also to make a year-long pledge to reduce energy usage. This could be done by biking to work, travelling less, planting trees, going on a vegetarian diet, taking public transport, and recycling, among others.

Thus, starting at 6 p.m. on March 26, 2011, there will be a simple, quiet, low-energy and energy-efficient main switch-off at the SM Mall of Asia. The rest of the country will then join in the hour-long show of unity for a great cause.

With the El Niño and La Niña weather phenomenon threatening power, water, and food supplies, this year’s Earth Hour assumes greater meaning and significance, as people, countries, cities, and towns take part in this collective action that demonstrates their determination to help protect our planet by conserving energy and adopting a more responsible lifestyle.