Saturday, March 22 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time, Earth Hour will take place. Since its beginnings in 2007, Earth Hour has been known for its “lights off” moment, with individuals around the world switching off their lights to show symbolic support for the Earth. Two years ago, the organizers of Earth Hour began encouraging participants to also give an hour for Earth—spending 60 minutes doing something positive for our planet.
This year, the Fauchon L’Hotel Paris plans to celebrate Earth Hour at The Grand Cafe Fauchon from 7 to 10:30 pm. Diners will have the opportunity to enjoy a four-sequence menu in an intimate atmosphere, illuminated solely by candlelight. This initiative reflects the hotel’s commitment to the environment, raising awareness about energy conservation and the preservation of natural resources.
To enhance this experience, the hotel will turn off the façade lights and dim the lighting in the hotel’s public areas, including the corridors, lobby, and library, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
In the past I have seen hotels use Earth Hour as an opportunity to craft special cocktails, encourage guests to reuse towels and linens, and even adjust heating and cooling to save energy.
Grand Residences Riviera Cancun stretched Earth Hour to day-long activities including a beach clean-up, yoga by the pool, tree planting, and recreating crafts from recycled materials. Hard Rock Hotels, Cafes and Casinos around the globe participated by “going dark” for one hour. Guests at participating properties’ restaurants, bars, Rock Shops, hotel rooms, lobbies and outdoor spaces participated by engaging in fun, entertaining activities, without the use of electricity: from candle-lit dinners and acoustic musical performances to flame shows, cocktail promotions, and Kids Club events.
Earth Hour certainly can be used as an awareness event for guests and staff, but it is also an opportunity to engage in volunteer activities, and as a time for generating new revenue.
Fifty-five Years After the First Earth Day
A month after Earth Hour, on April 22, Earth Day will be celebrated. The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970. The theme for this Earth Day is Our Power, Our Planet. Everyone around the world is being invited to unite behind renewable energy and to triple the global generation of clean electricity by 2030.
In years past I have seen properties stretch Earth Day into Earth Week and organize many activities throughout the week—even a trade show for local vendors.
According to the organizers of Earth Day, “Now, more than ever, we must step up our efforts to combat climate change, protect biodiversity, and preserve our ecosystems.”
Both Earth Hour and Earth Day are ideal opportunities to build and benefit from public relations. They can be used to celebrate your progress so far, or as times to unveil new initiatives and goals. No matter how you choose to mark the two occasions, get creative.
Our planet can certainly use our help. Earlier this year, Earth.org published its list of the top 15 biggest environmental problems of 2025. Be sure to read through that list and think about how you and your team can address each issue—the first one being global warming from fossil fuels.
I have yet to hear from anyone in regard to plans for Earth Hour and Earth Day. What are you planning? I would love to learn about the activities you have planned. I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
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