Earth Hour and Earth Day are two occasions that have been marked by many hotel companies and individual hotels in years past. How will you be marking the occasions this year? This year, Earth Hour will be celebrated around the world on March 19 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. local time. The World Wildlife Federation has created a video that summarizes 2015 Earth Hour activities. Be sure to check it out. Last year lighting at more than 10,400 landmarks and monuments was turned off during Earth Hour. Wyndham Worldwide participated in Earth Hour by turning its lights down and encouraging energy conservation. Hilton hotels participated with candlelit dinners with low carbon menus and sustainable cocktails. Guests of The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii celebrated Earth Hour by enjoying complimentary ocean-side stargazing, compliments of Stargaze Hawaii. In years past MGM Resorts International has dimmed lights at its resorts. Exterior lighting, rooftop signage, marquees and front features at the company’s major Strip resorts and Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Miss. were turned off during the celebration.
Earth Day, as it always has been since the first Earth Day in 1970, will be celebrated on April 22. This year the Earth Day Network is encouraging tree planting, with the goal of planting 7.8 billion trees by Earth Day 2020—the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. According to the Earth Day Network, in a single year, an acre of mature trees absorbs the same amount of CO2 produced by driving the average car 26,000 miles. Last year the Portola Hotel & Spa partnered with the Monterey Regional Airport to celebrate Earth Day. Portola Hotel & Spa staff were stationed at the Monterey Regional Airport Baggage Claim area to give away reusable bags made of 100 percent recycled materials. Also last year, international planning, architecture, engineering, interior design, and program management firm LEO A DALY celebrated Earth Day with a worldwide day of volunteerism on April 25. An estimated 625 employees and family members in 31 offices spent the Saturday after Earth Day in a variety of community-focused cleanup activities.
If you have plans to celebrate Earth Hour and/or Earth Day this year, be sure to share them with me. I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
