BRINGING LIGHT TO EARTH HOUR IN THE DARK

BUSINESSES on the Gold Coast could be left in the dark to bring light to Earth Hour this weekend.

Jupiters Hotel & Casino has pledged its support for Earth Hour for the fourth consecutive year, flicking the switch on the iconic exterior neon on Saturday from 8.30pm-9.30pm.

Managing Director Stuart Wing says the Gold Coast’s own slice of Vegas – the blue rooftop neon lights – will be switched off along with the neon halo on the tower and the large neon signs to show Jupiters’ support for the need to take action against global warming.

The hotel-casino will also ask hotel guests to turn off lights in 594 hotel rooms and invite them to dine by candlelight in Andiamo and Charters Towers as part of the global initiative.

“We are lucky enough to be situated in one of the most ecologically rich regions of Australia, so we continually implement new systems to minimise our impact on our surrounds,” says Wing.

“Moving forward, Jupiters will use LED energy saving lighting in all new signage and high usage lighting, as well as installing smart metering to assist in locating high volume usage areas and motion controls for lighting in plant rooms.”

Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa Gold Coast will also share energy-saving measures during Earth Hour. The recently bought Hotel will turn off exterior signage lighting; dimming or turning off non-essential interior lighting; using candlelight in appropriate public areas such as restaurants and bars; and using in-room voicemail messages and in-room television messages to inform guests about Earth Hour observances.

Earth Hour is drawing strong support from Starwood hotels around the globe. Last year, the unlit hotels offered striking visual imagery that provided an apt symbol of Earth Hour. Around 157 Starwood hotels from the Asia Pacific Region will be participating in this event.

Sanctuary Cove will also celebrate with guests dining by candlelight along its Mast Head Way strip in the Marine Village.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when more than 2 million people turned off their lights. Since then participants have grown progressively around the world. In 2009 numbers swelled to hundreds of millions as 4189 cities, in 88 countries supported the cause.