What started as a symbolic lights event in Sydney, Australia in 2007 has grown into the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment. The World Wide Fund’s (WWF) Earth Hour has come a long way since then, engaging individuals, businesses and organizations in over 7,000 cities and more than 170 countries and territories during the hour and beyond.

Earth Hour 2018 will be celebrated once more on Saturday, March 24, and the globe is expected to darken for an hour or more starting 8:30 p.m. The focus this year is #Connect2Earth, the new WWF global campaign that aims to connect with the hundreds of millions and to different organizations to spark conversations on biodiversity.

In Bacolod City, the biggest Earth Hour celebration will be held at the north parking area of SM City Bacolod. The mall, in partnership with the Earth Hour Negros core group and the City of Bacolod, has been the city’s official site for the annual lights out ceremony.

The year, the Earth Hour movement invites the community to shine a light on various climate actions. For the WWF, everyone is invited to make a stand to take their commitment to Earth Hour even further, with #Connect2Earth stands such as a transition to renewables, promoting sustainable food and agriculture, adopting climate-friendly legislation and business practices, supporting conservation projects and raising awareness on climate issues in schools and amongst the public.

These stands you can take – or make your own pledge – this Saturday at the Earth Hour celebration at SM City Bacolod. Make it to the Lights Off ceremony at the north carpark area of the mall before 8 p.m. and give an hour for the earth. (PR)