Filipinos asked to join in Earth Hour on March 19

The Philippine government urged Monday the Filipinos to again participate in the Earth Hour movement on March 19 as part of efforts to minimize effect of climate change.

Climate change is the planet's biggest environmental challenge, and to fight it requires mass participation across all continents, even in countries like the Philippines which has a very small carbon footprint, said Environment Secretary Ramon Paje.

"Earth Hour is but only one response by our country and the rest of humanity," he said, referring to the global annual event where millions of people switch off their lights for one hour to show their concern for the planet.

The country has been participating in the Earth Hour since 2009, and is consistently one of the biggest advocates of what has been dubbed as the world's largest climate movement organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Although it has smaller carbon footprint compared to industrialized nations, the Philippines is considered an important player in the fight against climate change being one of the countries most vulnerable to the global phenomenon.

Since joining the movement in 2009, the country consistently had the biggest Earth Hour participation and has been very active in the global fight against climate change. Endit