Are you ready for Earth Hour 2010?

Earth Hour 2010 (March 27 @ 8:30pm local time) is rapidly approaching. A highlight in the travel industry as one of the main calls to action against climate change, Earth Hour has increasingly gained more and more attention since its inception in Sydney only three years ago.

It has become a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world to stand up, take responsibility, and get involved in the fight for a cleaner, greener, sustainable future.

This year, hundreds of millions of people are expected to “go dark” – spanning over 4000 cities in 88 countries -pledging their support for the planet to make Earth Hour 2010 possibly the world’s largest global climate change initiative.

Earth Hour 2010 takes place on Saturday 27 March at 8.30pm (local time) and is a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world. It is a call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future.

Iconic buildings and landmarks from Europe to Asia to the Americas will stand in darkness. People across the world from all walks of life will turn off their lights and join together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.

Global phenomenon

Organized by WWF – one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations with 5 million supporters and a global network of over 100 countries – Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million homes and businesses turned their lights off for one hour to make their stand against climate change.

Fast forward a year later, and Earth Hour had grown substantially into a global sustainability movement with over 50 million people across 35 countries participating.

Global landmarks such as the, Sydney Harbour Bridge, The CN Tower in Toronto, The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.

Happening near you

The World Trade Organization and the United Nations Environment Program (2008) estimate that while the aviation industry accounts for almost 2 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per year, the hotel industry contributes as much as 5 percent of global CO2. In response, leading hoteliers have made environmental protection one of their top priorities – adopting environmentally friendly and progressive measures worldwide.

For instance, last week, we reported that Fairmont would be participating in Earth Hour 2010 for the third year in a row – not only turning off their property’s lights, but also engaging guests and employees in a range of eco-symbolic activities to commemorate the event itself.

Similarly, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, one of Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel groups, has announced its participate for a second consecutive year in Earth Hour – committing over 60 hotels and resorts worldwide.

Shangri-La estimates that for each hour of shutting off or dimming lights per hotel, it can save up to 60 megawatts of electricity, which is equivalent to providing the lighting energy requirements of a city of 500,000 residents for 24 hours.

In addition, a number of activities have been planned for guests, including candlelight dinners, unplugged live music and firefly tours, as well as community-centric opportunities such as coastal cleanups and tree-planting projects. Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives, will be offering guests an organic moonlit massage using virgin coconut oil produced by a local community. The treatment will only be available on the day of Earth Hour.

“As an environmentally conscious and socially responsible company, it’s only fitting that Shangri-La participates in Earth Hour to help raise awareness for climate change with our employees and guests,” said Madhu Rao, managing director and CEO of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. “Shangri-La remains steadfast in its commitment to pursuing initiatives that mitigate the effects of climate change, not only through Earth Hour but also through other green programs such as building greener hotels, moving towards 100 percent eco-friendly machines and greening the supply chain.”

Lead by example

What are you doing this Earth Hour? Leave a quick note below in the comments section and let everyone know how you as an individual, or as an industry entity (hotel, restaurant, employee, etc.) are planning to make a difference this year.