Residents of Sibuyan Island in Romblon province switched on their lights for a full hour Saturday night as the rest of the world marked Earth Hour by turning off their lights.
Environmental group Bayay Sibuyanon led the campaign “to show the world that in Sibuyan Island, our energy is 100-percent renewable.”
The island’s energy source is a 900-kilowatt hydro-electric power plant in Cantingas River, proclaimed in 2007 as the cleanest inland body of water – river category.
“In Sibuyan Island, we have contributed in reducing carbon emissions significantly in our own little way since 2010 by using renewable source of energy from hydro-power. We may experience power inconsistencies sometimes but we realized that, indeed, we are able to live in harmony with Mother Earth by not increasing our carbon emission,” said Bayay Sibuyanon chairman Rodne Galicha.
Galicha also serves as Philippine manager of The Climate Reality Project, a global movement founded by former US Vice President Al Gore.
The power plant operated by Cantingas Mini-Hydro Power Corporation, on average, provides 90 percent to 95 percent electricity. A diesel-powered generator serves as back-up. But there are certain hours that 100-percent comes from renewable sources.
“If a small island can do it, why not the world?” said Elizabeth Ibanez, Bayay Sibuyanon’s climate change and disaster risk reduction and management officer.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Earth Hour Philippines Director, lawyer Angelo Consuelo Ibay, said the initiative was a “fantastic example and excellent work.”
“Our global vision is to go 100% renewable by 2050. Examples like [Sibuyan Island’s] show that it can be attainable,” said Ibay.
