Posted on March, 30 2010

Lima. Last Saturday, March 27, while the main square of Lima was in the darkness- due to Earth Hour, the initiative which has become the largest environmental movement in history – Alan García, President of the Republic left the government palace spontaneously to walk around the surroundings and see by himself whether Peruvian citizens had the “civic gesture” of joining Earth Hour or not. “(Earth Hour) is a very important symbolic act that measures the civic and historic attitude shown by the population before an increasing problem: global warming and climate change, which as a phenomenon is currently affecting all human beings”, stated president Garcia. He also highlighted the important outreach achieved by this initiative during the present year which allows Peruvians to show the world their commitment regarding this issue.
At 8: 30 p.m. sharp, representatives of the municipality of Lima and WWF Peru turn off a huge switch, to turn off the lights of the main square of Lima, the cathedral, the government palace and municipal palace, among other monuments and buildings declared cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO.

That way, and with the unusual view of the cross of Cerro San Cristobal turned off, similar actions began to take place in the streets, squares and houses of at least 40 cities across the country, joining millions of Peruvians to citizens of all the world that made their voice heard towards climate change. From the square of Trujillo to the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Cusco and the Arch of Tacna, Peruvians joined this campaign by turning of their lights not only as gesture of concern but also of optimism.


“Although Peru does not contribute strongly towards climate change, it is a very vulnerable country that plays a strong role that greatly favors climate stability, e.g., for Amazon forests. For this reason, it is very important that the Peruvian population has massively joined this symbolic initiative, which aside from having become the largest wake up call for this problem worldwide”, said Michael Valqui, Director of the WWF-Peru Amazon Program Director.

Yolanda Kakabadse, President of WWF International made an enthusiastic statement regarding this initiative “no doubt, decision makers will be paying close attention to the actions taken by the masses during Earth Hour. Addressing climate change is not easy and leaders themselves are seeking leadership for this important issue.”

Thus, in its fourth edition – second in Peru – Earth Hour has become the largest environmental movement in history. In our country, dozens of companies from all sectors joined this symbolic act; the main communication media reaffirmed it as the environmental initiative with the most dissemination in history; and once more, millions of Peruvians proved their concern for one of the main problems faced by humanity, climate change.

WORDS FROM OUR LEADERS:

Mrs. Pilar Nores, First Lady: “This campaign is like an alarm clock for our conscience and a call for Peruvians to an individual and collective commitment with our planet”.

Antonio Brack Egg, Minister of the Environment: "Every Peruvian should listen, participate and reflect on the fact that we must improve the situation in our country and in the world, because with global warming, we are compromising the survival of the human species as well as of the planet".

Alan Garcia Perez, President of Peru: “(Earth Hour) is a very important symbolic act that measures the civic and historic attitude shown by the population before an increasing problem: global warming and climate change, which as a phenomenon is currently affecting all human beings. (…) I am certain that meeting certain objectives and with discipline we can protect our planet and its inhabitability for our children and the following generations. This is the moment in which we must take actions so that in the future, these following generations may benefit from an inhabitable planet, just as we have”.