(VNF) - The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) held a ceremony on Sunday (Mar. 5^th) to launch the 2017 Earth Hour campaign in Vietnam with the message ‘Lights off to turn on the future’.

The campaign will be deployed in 63 cities and provinces throughout Vietnam. Local residents will be encouraged to turn off unnecessary electrical devices from 8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. on March 25^th.

Representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, sponsors and ambassadors of Earth Hour 2017, on stage during the launching ceremony on March 5^th. (Photo: Tuoi Tre News)

“Turning off lights and appliances for one hour not only reminds us about saving energy, but also aims towards a more important target, which is joining hands to protect the environment and adapt to climate change,” said Phuong Hoang Kim, Deputy Head of the General Directorate of Energy under the MOIT.

“Every small action will bring about big impacts. Every person’s contribution will bring about a green planet,” he said.

This year’s event has attracted the participation of thousands of students at colleges and universities nationwide, as well as Earth Hour ambassadors, including MC Phan Anh, MC Thuy Van, singer Noo Phuoc Thinh and actress Nha Phuong.

Earth Hour ambassadors: MC Phan Anh, MC Thuy Van and singer Noo Phuoc Thinh. (Photo: Tuoi Tre News)

Earth Hour was initiated by the WWF in 2007 to improve the community’s awareness on climate change and energy saving around the world. The campaign has received responses from over 7,000 cities in 172 countries. Last year, up to 451,000 kWh was saved during the event.

First launched in Vietnam in 2009, the programme aims to call on the community, especially young people, to raise public awareness on effective ways to save energy to counteract climate change.

Under the framework of the programme, Hanoi will work with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to organise activities to promote the campaign through different events such as cycling, running, competitions on environmental protection and energy saving and volunteering.

In addition, over 2,000 organisations, schools, businesses and households have been encouraged to take part in the campaign./.

( Compiled by VNF )