Earth Hour: a symbolic gesture or meaningful change?

As I strolled through SM Baguio City, I could not help but notice the myriad of Earth Hour posters scattered around the mall.

"Give an Hour for Earth: Earth Hour," they exclaimed, evoking memories of the times my family and I diligently participated in this global event, convinced that it would make a difference in saving our planet.

Looking back, I find it ironic that once the hour ended, we would swiftly resume our electronic usage, even cranking up the air conditioner to combat the profuse sweating after an hour of not using any cooling devices.

This personal realization sparked a deeper contemplation: does this symbolic gesture of Earth Hour lead to a meaningful environmental change, or is it simply a performative act that momentarily appeases our eco-consciousness?

Earth Hour in the Philippines

Over the years, Earth Hour has gained immense popularity as a global movement promoting energy consumption and climate change awareness. The Philippines, too, has been a dedicated participant in this annual event.

In Baguio, Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong and city officials led the ceremonial light switch-off ceremony on March 25, 2023, at the Baguio City Hall to celebrate Earth Hour. The city also organized a parade and biking event where participants rode through the streets to commemorate the occasion.

According to a report from the Department of Energy on March 27, 2023, it revealed that the country achieved a significant energy saving of 62.69 megawatts (MW) by collectively switching off non-essential lights from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM on March 25.

While these figures highlight the immediate impact of Earth Hour, it is crucial to evaluate its effectiveness in the long run critically.

The commendable underlying intention of Earth Hour prompts individuals, myself included, to reflect on energy consumption habits and their environmental repercussions. However, lingering concerns persist regarding the extent to which this symbolic gesture translates into tangible and lasting change.

An Illusion of Progress

Despite active participation from Baguio City’s LGUs, according to the 2023 Asian Development Bank report Baguio City’s carbon emissions are 53% higher than the national average. The city’s carbon footprint is estimated to be 629,483 tons.

These findings underscore the importance of addressing and mitigating the major carbon emitters in the city.

Although Earth Hour may provide a sense of accomplishment and solidarity, its efficacy in driving long-term sustainable change is inherently limited as a singular event.

According to research from Johns Hopkins University titled The electricity impacts of Earth Hour: An international comparative analysis of energy-saving behavior, coordinated reductions or increases in electrical demand during events like Earth Hour require power plants to increase their reserved power to maintain a stable electricity supply.

An article from Forbes also suggested that the rapid fluctuation in energy consumption during Earth Hour may result in increased carbon emissions as power plants burn more fossil fuels to meet the sudden surge in demand when lights are switched back on.

Therefore, relying solely on performative gestures may dilute the urgency for individuals and organizations to take concrete and sustained actions to reduce their carbon footprint.

Moving Beyond Symbolism

To effectively address climate change, it is crucial to move beyond symbolic gestures and prioritize meaningful sustainable actions.

Governments and local government units (LGUs) play a crucial role in promoting long-term sustainability. Baguio City serves as an example of how governments and LGUs can take action beyond participating in Earth Hour.

Baguio City partnered with General Electric (GE) to switch the decorative lights in Burnham Park to new LED Lights. The switch to LED reduced the consumption from 144 watts per post to 90 watts.

The city is also working towards hosting its own waste-to-energy plant, in collaboration with the Philippine National Oil Company–Renewables Corp, to address waste management issues, generate renewable energy, and ensure a reliable and affordable energy supply for the city.

These actions by Baguio City's government go beyond symbolic gestures, which led to their recognition by the Worldwide Fund for Nature for its sustainability commitments and efforts through the One Planet City Challenge.

While individual and LGU actions are important in reducing carbon emissions, the biggest impact can indeed be made by big factories and companies. The operation of major power plants and the manufacturing industry sector are indeed significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, as stated in the 2023 Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Big companies have the advantage of scale, resources, and influence. They can implement changes in their operations that have a far-reaching impact. Rather than participating in symbolic gestures like Earth Hour, big companies should prioritize taking concrete actions to address climate change.

In the pursuit of climate-resilient development, major carbon emitter companies should invest in sustainable technology. There are available energy-efficient machinery and processes companies can transition to which would help reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

To further foster climate resilience in supply chains, companies should champion sustainable practices among their suppliers. As well as conducting climate risk assessments to identify and understand the potential environmental impacts of a company operation.

Comprehensive climate action requires both individual and corporate engagement. While big companies can make significant emission reductions, individuals can also contribute by supporting sustainable practices and advocating for stronger environmental policies. By demanding greener products, supporting energy efficiency, and embracing sustainable lifestyles, individuals and communities can drive lasting change.

While the Earth Hour is symbolically important, it has limited long-term impacts in combating climate change. Therefore, meaningful change requires concrete actions that go beyond an hour.