Earth Hour 2026: Peru mobilized nationwide against plastic pollution
Under the slogan “One hour every day,” Peru experienced a major nationwide effort to reduce plastic pollution as part of the global Earth Hour 2026 campaign, held on Saturday, March 28.
Beyond the traditional symbolic lights-off moment at 8:30 p.m., the WWF-led initiative unfolded in a decentralized manner across the coast, highlands, and Amazon. Starting at 5:00 a.m., environmental, cultural, and community activities took place, demonstrating citizens’ commitment to addressing the climate crisis.
Along the coast, particularly in Lima, the event brought together families, youth groups, and organizations. Key activities included nighttime parades with torches and animal puppets made from recycled materials in downtown Lima, as well as environmental fairs featuring workshops, educational games, and eco-train rides in Carmen de la Legua Reynoso.
These efforts were complemented by simultaneous activities in districts such as Breña, Chorrillos, San Isidro, San Borja, Carabayllo, La Victoria, San Juan de Miraflores, La Perla, and Miraflores, where awareness workshops, scout activities, and environmental education spaces were held.
Actions in the Amazon and the Andes
In the Peruvian Amazon, participation was marked by community-based and symbolic actions connected to nature. In Loreto, activities included candlelight gatherings, ecological prayers, and group dynamics aimed at collective reflection on caring for the planet.
Meanwhile, in Ucayali, citizens carried out a river cleanup along the Purús River, environmental awareness parades, contests, and a lights-off moment accompanied by candle lighting along the Yarinacocha boulevard. In Madre de Dios, urban solid waste cleanup campaigns and cycling activities were organized, promoting sustainable transport.
In the Andean regions, the campaign also promoted activities such as informational fairs and educational initiatives focused on responsible consumption and waste reduction.
© WWF-Perú
Alert on plastic pollution
In 2026, Earth Hour specifically focused on plastic pollution. “The challenge is not to eliminate plastic entirely, a material that has been key to advances in medicine and technology, but to reduce the use of single-use plastics, which are the main drivers of environmental damage”, said Aimee Leslie, Conservation Director of WWF Peru.
She warned that the impacts are already visible in the country. “Recent studies have detected microplastics even in Amazonian fish, showing that pollution has reached the entire food chain. Plastic is present from glaciers to the depths of the ocean and now also in what we consume”, she stated.
Leslie highlighted the evolution of the initiative toward sustained commitment. “Earth Hour is no longer just about turning off the lights for one hour. It is a moment of awareness that we want people to apply throughout the entire year”, she explained, emphasizing that Peru is one of the most active countries in the region, to the point that this campaign became part of the Ministry of the Environment’s agenda.
During the main event at Parque de la Felicidad in San Borja, Minister Nelly Paredes emphasized the importance of promoting sustainable development, with a focus on ecosystem restoration and green infrastructure as opportunities to generate employment and growth in the country.
“Earth Hour is not just about turning off a light; it is about turning on a daily commitment to the environment. We are committed to initiatives that protect our ecosystems and generate development for the country”, she affirmed.
© WWF-Perú
