In a collective effort to address the pressing environmental challenges and promote healthier lifestyles, communities are gearing up for various initiatives as part of Earth Hour 2025. One such event, the Olympic Run Day for public health, took place on March 22, 2025, in District 4 of Ho Chi Minh City, highlighting the importance of energy conservation and physical fitness.
The Earth Hour 2025 campaign seeks to inspire a shift towards sustainable living, emphasizing the message of 'Saving electricity - Forming a habit'. This international initiative, led by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), encourages households and businesses to turn off unnecessary lights and appliances for an hour to raise awareness about energy consumption and environmental protection.
At the Olympic Run Day event, attended by about 1,000 participants including local officials, public employees, armed forces personnel, students, and residents, the community came together to promote health and environmental responsibility. Do Thi Truc Mai, the Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of District 4, opened the event with a powerful message.
"This Olympic Run is an annual initiative to enhance community fitness in line with the teachings of President Ho Chi Minh," she stated. Her words echoed the spirit of the day, as the participants engaged in physical activities aimed at boosting their wellbeing while underscoring the significance of collective action towards a sustainable future.
The run, which kicked off from Khánh Hội Square, passed through District 4’s streets, with the route ending at Quang Trung Middle School. This vibrant event served not only as a public health promotion but also as a rallying point for citizens to commit to environmentally friendly habits.
Moreover, the campaign urges individuals to adopt simple yet effective energy-saving measures in their daily lives. Residents are encouraged to replace incandescent or non-efficient bulbs with energy-efficient alternatives, unplug electrical devices when they are not in use, and maintain appliances for optimal performance. For example, studies from the Berkeley Institute in California suggest that devices left plugged in can consume between 5% to 10% of a household's energy even when they are not actively used.
For businesses, energy monitoring tools are recommended as a way to manage and reduce electricity consumption. These tools can help organizations set production schedules that avoid peak electricity hours, which generally run from noon to 3 PM and again from 10 PM to midnight, as advised by EVN, the leading electricity company in Vietnam.
Collective effort is not just about individual actions—it’s about shaping habits that foster sustainable living. As communities rally behind these initiatives, it becomes clear that small changes can lead to significant impacts. The motto 'Use wisely, turn off when not in use' is central to this campaign.
Looking ahead, the weather predictions for 2025 suggest a shift towards more unpredictable and extreme conditions. This increasing unpredictability underscores the urgency for energy conservation and environmental stewardship. Therefore, events like the Olympic Run Day not only enhance community health but also promote a concerted effort to protect the planet.
As people took to the streets to run, the spirit of camaraderie grew, illustrating how advocating for environmental consciousness can intertwine with community health efforts. Every participant in the run is a positive force for change, and every small effort towards reducing energy consumption compounds to form a significant contribution toward a greener future.
With the Earth Hour campaign fostering awareness, and public events urging physical activity, the collective mission remains clear: to cultivate habits that prioritize both human health and environmental consciousness. Together, through shared responsibilities and actions, a future of sustainability and wellness is not just an aspiration but an achievable reality.
