As pollution makes headlines more and more frequently, many hotels are marking their commitment to environmental conservation as they join in commemorating Earth Hour today.

China World Hotel, Beijing is taking the two-wheel approach as they offer bicycles outside the hotel entrance to encourage more environmentally friendly transport.

It will also sell Earth Hour-themed cupcakes throughout the day to raise money for an environmental protection project at the Yanqing Lake Wetland Park, the only wetland reserve for birds in Beijing.

As night falls, it will turn off lights in back-of-the-house areas and dim those in public areas, restaurants and hotel exteriors from 8:30 to 9:30 pm.

"We hope that one hour in the "dark" will inspire guests to take simple steps that create a dramatic effect toward reducing energy consumption," says general manager John Rice. It is the sixth consecutive year the hotel has participated in the campaign.

It will also encourage guests to participate by turning off the lights in their rooms and offer a complimentary Earth Hour green cocktail at the hotel's Aria Bar and the Lobby Lounge.

The efforts succeed the hotel's blue sky program on March 4 in cooperation with the Worldwide Wildlife Fund for Nature, aimed at soliciting creative ideas for the effective control of urban air pollution and heavy smog solutions.

Rice says this is just a small part of the hotel's environmental protection efforts.

The China World Summit Wing, Beijing will join Earth Hour with an interesting sculpture project at its 79th-floor wine bar.

Made of empty mineral water bottles, the sculpture has sticks that will glow when people turn their handles, offering guests an interesting visual experience.

Over at the Kempinski Hotel Beijing, Earth Hour will start with a lighting of candles in the lobby where most of the lights will be turned off, joining millions of people worldwide in the annual campaign initiated by the Worldwide Fund for Nature in 2007.

Kempinski also offer guests new energy-saving bulbs in exchange for their used ones to encourage recycling.

The Westin Beijing Chaoyang will illuminate its environmental awareness by turning off exterior lighted signs, dimming non-essential lights inside the hotel and using candles at restaurants and bars.

It will also hold a candlelit party at the hotel lobby where guests can enjoy cocktails with soothing music.

lifusheng@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 03/29/2014 page13)