The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced on Thursday, May 23, that Liter of Light, a grassroots solar lighting movement originating from the Philippines, has earned a Guinness World Record for the largest solar artwork in the world. In a statement, the agency said the World Record was set with 3,000 solar lamps, all handcrafted by thousands of students from Deira International School and Universal American School. “It is the largest youth climate action in the Asia, Middle East, and North Africa (AMENA) region since COP28, the global climate change negotiations hosted by the United Arab Emirates in December 2023,” the DENR stated.
The DENR stated that following the public exhibition, the solar lights from the installation will be given to communities in the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, in partnership with the DENR. “Each hand-built solar light reduces carbon emissions by 1000 kg over five years by replacing traditional forms of electricity, mainly kerosene, with clean, sustainable energy,” the environment department noted. Agusan Marsh, which is under DENR’s stewardship, remains one of Asia's most important transit points for wild birds and a pivotal reservoir of biodiversity.
According to the environment department, the unveiling of the record-breaking artwork coincides with International Day for Biodiversity, a day dedicated to raising awareness about environmental stewardship. The DENR characterized the artwork, ‘Tree of Light’.