By: Andhiani M. Kumalasari (Communication, Campaign, and Outreach Coordinator, WWF-Indonesia Papua Program)

"From the easternmost tip of Indonesia, this is my action! Where's your action?" screamed the Acting Mayor of Jayapura, Daniel Pahabol at the end of his speech during the 2017 Earth Hour celebration held in the main hall of the Jayapura Mayor's Office last Saturday (25/03). This year, Earth Hour was celebrated for the first time in Papua, specifically in Jayapura. Daniel, representing the Jayapura City Government, expressed his support and appreciation for Earth Hour activities because they contribute to reducing the impact of climate change.

Related to concrete actions to combat climate change, Daniel explained that the Jayapura Mayor's office has been equipped with a solar panel installation as a form of environmentally friendly renewable energy utilization. Furthermore, through the Environmental Agency, Jayapura City has also implemented a waste bank program.

In his speech, Piter Roki Aloisius as Northern Guinea Leader, WWF-Indonesia Papua Program explained, "Because this is the first time it is held in Jayapura and even Papua, so what needs to be understood is that the action of turning off the lights for one hour is a symbolic action for Earth Hour celebration. But the main goal is not just that. Furthermore, there must be real actions for conservation and environmental management."

For the Earth Hour 2017 celebration, Jayapura City Government also issued a circular letter to several government agencies, companies, and places of worship to turn off the lights for one hour. On March 25, 2017 at 20.30 WIT, there are nine buildings that will participate to do switch off for one hour, namely the Jayapura City Government office complex, Jayapura Mayor's office, Cenderawasih Pos editorial office, Bank Papua headquarters, Maluku and Papua Regional PLN office, Jayapura City DPRD building, Jayapura City PDAM office, the city icon writing "Jayapura City", and Al Akham-Furia Mosque.

At the same time, WWF-Indonesia Papua Program also organized the We Love The Forest Camping activity. This activity was held at the ecotourism site of bird watching, Isyo Hill, Rhepang Muaif Village - Nimbokrang, Jayapura Regency. This activity was also aimed at establishing the Earth Hour Jayapura community. This community, like Earth Hour communities in other cities, is expected to be one of the agents of change to carry out concrete actions for conservation and environmental management.

On the night of the Earth Hour celebration, illuminated by torches that formed a cluster of 60+ writings, the participants of the activity who were mostly high school children performed theater art performances, dramas, and poetry readings about the importance of loving Papua's forests. This event also received support from the Papua Writing School Community and the Photography Community - Papua Morning Class.

"The forest theme was chosen because it is very contextual in Papua. Especially action for conservation and sustainable forest management. Given that Papua's forests are the last stronghold of forests in Indonesia that can be relied upon to combat the effects of climate change," added Roki.