By spending an hour in the dark next week, Beijing's Westin Hotel on Westin Financial Street will join millions around the world to send a powerful message about a brighter future for the planet.

The hotel will turn off its lights in observance of Earth Hour, the global environmental awareness event created by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Last year, Earth Hour 2010 became the biggest Earth Hour ever. A record 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas switched off. People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.

To underscore parent Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.'s dedication to environmental sustainability, Westin will also share other energy-saving measures during Earth Hour, March 26 at 8:30 p.m. local time. Among them are: Turning 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, unlit hotels offered striking visual imagery that provided an apt symbol of Earth Hour.

This year will mark Starwood's third annual participation in Earth Hour, making it one of the biggest worldwide companies to make a global statement with a voluntary hour of darkness.

About Earth Hour

Earth Hour is a global grassroots movement encouraging individuals, businesses and governments around the world to take positive actions for the environment, and celebrating their commitment to the planet by switching off their lights for one designated hour.

Earth Hour 2011 will see the world's most iconic landmarks go dark for one designated hour, as hundreds of millions of people transcend race, religion, culture, society, generation and geography, switching off their lights in a global celebration of their commitment to protect the one thing that unites us all – the planet. Earth Hour 2011 will take place on Saturday 26 March at 8.30PM.