Earth Hour 2012 provides an opportunity for the people in Thailand to dramatically adapt and change to accelerate strategies leading to tangible sustainable changes

Posted on 31 March 2012

Bangkok, 31 March 2012 - As our planet faces some of the most critical challenges in history and our journey towards sustainability slows, Earth Hour 2012 provides an opportunity for the people in Thailand to dramatically adapt and change to accelerate strategies leading to tangible sustainable changes.

The human population is consuming resources at a faster rate than ecosystems can regenerate them, and we currently use the equivalent of 1.5 planets’ worth of natural resources to support our activities.* From melting sea ice in the Arctic to a looming deforestation disaster in the Amazon, coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef to a drought induced famine in the Horn of Africa. These are the results of accumulative greenhouse gas emissions. It is time to act.

This is a global problem that requires a global solution. In 2012, the largest voluntary action for the environment, Earth Hour, is using the “I Will If You Will” campaign to inspire people all over the world to adopt urgently needed sustainability practices.

“Earth Hour provides an opportunity for Thailand to learn how to change and adapt in order to cope with the impacts of climate change and integrate the lessons learned into the national strategies for tangible changes,” says Rattaphon Pitaktepsombat, Manager, Chi Watershed Restoration Project, WWF Thailand. “Rural communities have tangible model of adaptation, e.g. conservation and restoration of watershed and wetland ecosystems that foster their sustainable livelihoods with unity. These activities will help lessen risks and vulnerabilities from climate change impacts. Hence, we need to join force in reversing the climate change crisis.”

Phansiri Winichagoon, Country Director, WWF Thailand says “WWF works closely with multi-sector parties in Thailand in saving endangered species like tigers and elephants, by securing their happy and healthy home in the wild. Joint efforts aim for nature conservation as resilience to reduce risks from climate change impacts. Increasing number of rural communities has been working hard as the “guardians” of nature. Now comes the time that urban alliances stand up and share the spirits through Earth Hour”.

In addition, WWF and the Foundation for Environmental Education and Sustainable Development (FEED) have initiated a scheme to enhance power of the young generation in sustainable energy consumption in 24 schools in 6 sub-districts of Bangkok. The project is called “Big Schools, Small Footprints” to promote the Low Carbon Society. These children’s footprints will ensure us that they will grow up with environmental consciences and living in harmony with nature.

Earth Hour is also collaborating with YouTube to provide the world’s leading platform for people to empower friends, family, colleagues and organizations to take urgent action in the short term, in order to fulfill long-term environmental goals. For Thailand, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) provides good cooperation to us by joining with more than 130 organisations and celebrities who volunteer to be our ambassadors. For example, Four Sakonratana, Posh Saran, Pichaya, ZQuinn, Kuljaesol, Nuknik, Michael Bermann, Shanon Tipkanok, Praew/Frame AF8, Baitoey RSiam, ZEE, Rookie BB, PJ Dhanu.

Earth Hour ambassadors said “Switching off for one hour is an awesome way to realize that it's small actions that can have a great impact on the well-being of our one and only planet. You can see how Earth Hour becomes a catalyst for change. You apply the concept beyond the 60 minutes and into various areas of life and it becomes a commitment.”

Famous faces around the world are also speaking out to encourage participation and support for Earth Hour. From environmental activists to former US Vice-President Al Gore, who is urging people everywhere to switch off their lights on 31 March in a video message recorded from Antarctica.

As an open sourced campaign, Earth Hour uses social media to connect the global community of people inspired to change the world we live in. Follow all of our stories on: Facebook, Flickr, Youtube and Twitter

For more information, please contact Ua-phan Chamnan-ua, Communication Manager, WWF Thailand Tel. 081 928 2426 e-mail: uchamnanua@wwfgreatermekong.org News and photographs can be found at www.wwfthai.org/earth_hour/media_center Facebook: WWF Thailand Photographs from Earth Hour around the world http://www.flickr.com/photos/earthhour_global/sets/72157627855444345 Official website: EarthHour.org *Ecological Footprint, calculated by Global Footprint Network in 2010 Living Planet report.