Earth Hour was born out of a hope for lasting solutions towards a sustainable planet. It started as a single-city event in 2007 and now grown into the largest environmental event in history. The Philippines has been joining Earth Hour since 2008, uniting with billions of people behind a common purpose. This 2014, we will be celebrating Earth hour on March 29.

This year, Earth Hour Blue project, ‘Bancas for the Philippines’, will help provide boats to fishermen affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

This project aims to bring fiberglass boat technology to the Philippine communities affected by Haiyan, while reducing the use of sawn timber and plywood. Anchored on the supply of training, molds and boat materials, all boats will be built on site with the help of the fisherfolk themselves.

With Philippine seas heavily exploited by commercial fishing, Bancas for the Philippines seeks to reduce fishing pressure by sharing climate-smart technologies to small-scale, artisanal fisherfolk whose boats rely on paddles or sails.

WWF’s goal is to make the technology open source. Aided by trained boat makers, the fishefolk themselves can build the 15-foot bancas on site and master working with fiberglass and resin. Using a mould, communities can easily produce one boat per day.

 

On March 29 from 8:30 to 9:30 pm, let’s celebrate Earth Hour with our families and friends and #UseYourPower to support the Bancas for the Philippines to reach the target of 60 boats and help hundreds of fishing families in Haiyan-hit areas get back on their feet.

*Photos from Earth Hour facebook page.