As Earth Hour is observed: WWF calls on Guyanese to ‘Shape Our Future’

As millions around the world prepare to observe Earth Hour 2022 on March 26, the World Wildlife Fund Guianas (WWF-Guianas) has called on Guyanese to ‘Shape Our Future’ and once again join the global movement of Earth Hour by switching off appliances in solidarity with the planet and our natural world.
This year, WWF-Guianas and its partners and supporters would be combating plastic pollution for the protection of our marine environment. The organisation seeks to create and raise nationwide awareness through the promotion of environmentally- focused actions such as a plastic art project and a coastal clean-up activity.
Citizens are invited to take a stand and signal their support for a nature-positive future at a particularly crucial time for the planet.
WWF-Guianas, in a release, pointed out that there is a local and global issue of plastic pollution. Pointing to studies that have predicted that plastic pollution is set to quadruple by the year 2050, potentially setting a 50-fold increase in toxic microplastic concentration in the environment by the end of the century, the WWF-Guianas has
nonetheless assured that there is hope, as the organisation has called on world leaders to establish an ambitious global treaty to address plastic pollution, and UN Member States at the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) have unanimously agreed to develop a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution.
Earth Hour in Guyana seeks to build momentum on the treaty by encouraging people to take action for our oceans, and stop plastic pollution. Earth Hour is the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment, and it is set once again to unite millions of people around the world to show their commitment to the planet.
WWF-Guianas has stated that the world is still adapting to the impacts of COVID-19, and in the face of growing global instability, owing to the conflict in Ukraine, Earth Hour 2022 aims to signal the end of “business as usual” and herald in a new era that puts people and the planet first.

Plastic art project and coastal clean-up
Earth Hour 2022 in Guyana will see various activities and events designed to raise nationwide awareness through public discussions and environmentally focused activities. Innovative ideas for countering plastics pollution would also be encouraged and promoted.
On this note, WWF-Guiana has launched its first awareness activity, a ‘Plastic Art Project’ which commenced on March 12 and ends on March 23, 2022. The project is currently open to persons of all ages, and gives the public a chance to get creative and showcase their artistic skills by transforming plastic bottles, bag covers and other everyday plastic waste into beautiful works of art.
The pieces of art submitted would be displayed on the night of Earth Hour Lights Off event, with prizes being awarded to those participants, WWF-Guianas has revealed.
A plastic clean-up activity is planned to take place the Kingston seawall from the Kitty roundabout to the Marriott Hotel. Starting at 06:30 hrs on the day of Earth Hour, it would seek to contribute to existing efforts of keeping our environment free of plastic waste, get people directly involved in the care of the environment, contribute to awareness-raising on the problem of plastic waste, and influence change in behaviours towards the environment.
The clean-up exercise will see the recording of data on the amounts and types of trash collected. This data will be used to inform future public education and awareness activities.
Registration for the clean-up activity is now open, and persons can join as a team or individually.
Earth Hour Lights Off is the moment when WWF-Guianas encourages a collective pause to understand how the world’s actions add up, building bridges for others to help strengthen and sustain current and future actions for nature. This year will be the first physical countdown event of Earth Hour since the pandemic began.
At the event, there is expected to be participation from multiple organizations, partners, and supporters, all united in symbolically switching off for the planet. The event is slated to be held on March 26 in the National Park, starting at 19:30hrs, and will be streamed live on E-Networks TV.
Earth Hour in Guyana is organised in partnership with the United Nations Office in Guyana, and supported by Guyana Youth and Environment Network, Environmental Protection Agency, Seawalls and Beyond, Rotary Club of Georgetown Central, Protected Areas Commission, and Lions Club. Earth Hour will begin on March 26 at 20:30h.