Loews Hotels takes part in Earth Hour 2009

Read more about: climate, climate change, Earth Hour, energy, Energy Star, hotel, Hotels, recycling

“Lights on” is a vote for Global Warming, “Lights off” is a vote for Earth. On March 28, 2009 at 8:30pm, Loews Hotels  will vote for “Earth,” joining a world wide call to action to increase sustainability practices. All 17 Loews Hotels properties will power down select lights, equipment and machinery for one hour in honor of “Earth Hour“.

In celebration, Loews is inviting guests and locals to the hotels’ bars and restaurants to try a Green Gin & Tonic specialty cocktail* and a menu of sustainably grown wines. All proceeds from cocktail sales will be donated to Loews’ charity partner, the Modest Needs foundation.

“Loews Hotels is committed to being environmentally responsible and we look forward to joining the world for this monumental event,” said Jonathan Tisch, Chairman and CEO.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007 as a local endeavor, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights. Now a global sustainability movement, Earth Hour’s 2009 goal is to recruit one billion people to turn off the lights. This effort will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change conference later this year, which is to determine official government policies against global warming. To learn more about Earth Hour, visit www.earthhour.org.

Loews Hotels is an Energy Star Partner and the company continues to make steady, measured progress in improving environmental practices at all locations. Each Loews Hotel has a “Green Team” which seeks every reasonable opportunity to incorporate “green” standards into all aspects of Loews’ business. Some recent activities have included:

• Implementing laundry waste water recycling programs
• Installing power capacitor conditioners to utilize 100 percent of power required to operate pumps and motors
• Installing variable frequency drive devices on large pumps and motors to lower electrical demand and consumption

Founded in 2002 by Dr. Keith P. Taylor as a “living tribute to human kindness,” Modest Needs is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization whose programs are funded entirely through the “small change” of individual donors. Modest Needs leverages the Internet’s communication benefits by displaying applicant stories online and allowing donors to read and rate which ones are funded. The organization fields hundreds of requests each month from people who have no way to shoulder the financial burden posed by life’s sudden emergencies: the unexpected car repair that keeps a single mother working; the cost of a license renewal that puts a skilled professional back on the job; the unusually large winter heating bill; or the co-payment for a cancer treatment.

Headquartered in New York City, Loews Hotels owns and/or operates 17 hotels and resorts in the U.S. and Canada. Located in major city centers and resort destinations from coast to coast, the Loews portfolio features one-of-a-kind properties that go beyond Four Diamond standards to delight guests with a supremely comfortable, uniquely local and vibrant travel experience. Loews boasts some of the industry’s most innovative and successful travel programs, including Loews Loves Kids for families and Loews Loves Pets for discerning animals on the road.

For reservations or more information, visit www.loewshotels.com.

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