Sustained Excellence
Marriott International Inc.
Bethesda, Maryland

Marriott International Inc. is a leading lodging company with about 3,000 properties located in the United States and 67 other countries and territories. In 2007, Marriott continued to lead the hospitality industry in the energy management efforts that are the core of its environmental initiatives. The company significantly reduced its environmental footprint and again achieved impressive cost savings. This is the second time Marriott has received ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence recognition. Key accomplishments include:

• Saving nearly $7.8 million in 2007 on energy bills-equivalent to a cost reduction of $0.13 per occupied room night, or an increase in the company’s average daily room rate of $0.15.
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 3 percent per available room since 2004-putting Marriott well on track to meet its goal under EPA’s Climate Leaders program of achieving a 6 percent reduction per available room by 2010. Benchmarking the energy performance of more than 95 percent of its properties using EPA’s energy performance rating system.
• Earning the ENERGY STAR for more than 200 hotel properties to date in more than 20 states.
• Expanding on initiatives that have resulted in superior achievements in energy efficiency, such as the Marriott Retro-Commissioning program, the appointment of an Energy Champion for each property, the installation of alternative laundry systems, and procurement policies requiring ENERGY STAR qualified products and more efficient building equipment.

In 2007, Marriott increased efforts to promote employee awareness of energy efficiency by organizing its first “Green Fair” to present Marriott associates with ideas on how to “go green” at home and at work and by continuing outreach well beyond this single event. Marriott emphasized employee involvement in energy efficiency through daily meetings, its Intranet, electronic communications, online training, and rewards for energy efficiency solutions.

Marriott continues to publicly promote its successful participation in the ENERGY STAR program and has made energy efficiency a cornerstone of its expanding sustainability and climate efforts. Never resting on previous accomplishments, Marriott has set a new goal to increase the number of properties earning the ENERGY STAR by 33 percent in 2008.

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Lighting equipment such as the venerable light bulb has radically evolved since the early days when Thomas Edison first invented it in the 18th century.  Today, consumers are able to choose from a wide array of home or office lighting options, and halogen light bulbs are one of the most efficient lighting alternatives.  However despite the many innovations, the standard ‘Edison caps’ are still utilized in some light bulbs, and almost all variants still use the same simple materials, albeit with a new high-tech twist.  The lighting devices available today may be utilized for domestic or commercial purposes, and they can also be handy, carry-anywhere devices.

Standard light bulbs are famous for being less-efficient devices and only have a lifespan of around 750 to 1,000 hours of normal usage.  Why is this so?  Because in the process of providing light, standard light bulbs radiate large amounts of infrared heat which are far more hotter than light.  In the long run, the filament’s thin spot would break down and cause the light bulb to burn out.  Basically, a standard light bulb is made from a fairly large, thin, frosted glass envelope wherein gases such as nitrogen and argon are filled inside the glass.  Alternative lighting experts promote halogen bulbs as being amongst the ‘brightest’ of lighting innovations and claim they are environmentally-friendly products as well.

Halogen lights differ from other energy-efficient light bulb variant because of their very precise lighting focus which makes them ideal devices for use in display cabinets and other special effects requirements.  Halogen lighting equipment also offers a wide array of benefits, and these include an extended lifespan that should be twice as long as that of standard incandescent bulbs, and also produce as much as 25% more light whilst utilizing the same wattage levels.

The lighting innovations introduced by halogen are now widely utilized in many industries and are also a viable alternative for your home lighting needs.  Consumers are now seeing the benefits of using these devices since halogen lighting is known for creating amazing lighting outcomes in bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms, and other halogen variants are utilized as well in creating a cozier, more relaxing feel in many other rooms.  These lighting equipments are also fully dimmable, unlike other energy-efficient lighting equipments.  In addition, the filaments inside the halogen lighting devices are encased in quartz, enabling these to withstand higher temperatures as compared to traditional glass light bulbs.  With quartz-encased filaments, halogen light bulbs are able to produce brighter lighting for homes and offices.  Nowadays, many are replacing conventional incandescent lighting devices with halogen light bulbs.  These devices help to cast brighter, whiter lights than the usual yellow hue released by incandescent lighting.  These devices last much longer because they utilize a rather different type of gas and housing, making it emit a whiter light as well as attain a longer shelf life.

According to environment advocates, the rate of high carbon dioxide emissions today is linked to increasing levels of electricity consumption,which leads to higher levels of greenhouse gases as well. This phenomenon is a major contributor to global warming and climate change and needs a quick response from governments and industries as well.  The Kyoto Protocol, signed in 1997, affirms the need to set doable targets towards considerably reducing levels of global carbon dioxide emissions.  In light of the need to protect our environment, manufacturers and consumers are now moving towards the production and use of greener lighting alternatives like halogen bulbs.  The aim is to change consumer habits and make lighting more eco-friendly, as well as to become truly energy-efficient.

Roger is an author and publisher for ‘Litelec’ (http://www.litelec.co.uk), a UK firm that specializes in the distribution of electric light bulbs, light fittings, electrical accessories and related products for domestic and company purposes which they trade at extremely competitive prices.  If you wish to reduce your electricity charges and also play a vital role to the safety of the environment then begin by using Halogen Bulbs at home and if you have further electrical products and accessories requirement then have a look at Litelec.

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On Thursday, April 17, 2008, the Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition and Global Exchange held a day of action at the state capitol in Lansing, Mi to push for strong renewable energy and energy efficiency legislation. The day of action called, “Re-New Michigan,” was aimed at the joint demand of reinvigorating the Michigan economy and confronting the climate crisis through the development of green industry in Michigan.

The “Re-New Michigan” day of action brought together 65 youth from around the state of Michigan ranging in age from elementary students to college graduates. The day of action included lobby meetings with the Michigan Senate and a rally at the west capitol lawn with speeches from: Erica Tauzer of Albion College, Danielle Ostafinski of Grand Valley State University, Michael Collins of Michigan State University, Sarah Mulkoff of Michigan State University, Brad Baughman of Alma College, Tremaine Phillips of Michigan State University, Ian Hoffback of Calvin College, Lee Sprague of the Sierra Club and Brandon Knight of Global Exchange. The Re-New Michigan day of action was in support of the M.S.S.C.’s Clean Energy Future Campaign that includes 5 demands from the Michigan Legislature:

1. Renewable energy standard (RES) of at least 25% by 2025.
2. Energy efficiency (EE) standard requiring 2% annual energy efficiency increases in this state between now and 2015, with a commitment to the renegotiation of a stronger standard after 2015.
3. Integrated Resource Planning (IRP), which would require state regulators to consider demand-side options like energy efficiency programs as well as supply-side options in their efforts to meet Michigan’s needs for energy, equity, and the environment.
4. A moratorium on new coal-fired and nuclear power plants in Michigan.
5. Low carbon fuel standards

“Michigan stands to benefit immensely from supporting a clean energy economy. We have the manufacturing base that can build the wind turbines, solar panels and clean cars that can reinvigorate the economy and build pathways out of poverty,” said Sarah Mulkoff of Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition. “Michigan has the opportunity to become a clean energy manufacturing powerhouse, and to bring green economy jobs to the region, and to help solve the climate crisis.”

“Our world is at a crossroads,” added Andrew Munn, coordinator of Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition. “The actions we take today as a society to address the challenge of climate change will determine the future of our generation and generations to come. The time has come for us to make a change.”

For more information on the Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition, please visit: www.groups.google.com/group/mssc_mi. For more information on the Re-New Michigan effort please visit: www.greenmi.org.

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Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition Drops off 500 Valentines Cards to Michigan Legislature in Support for Clean Energy

At 10 a.m. on February 14th, 2008, the Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition held a press conference at the state capitol in Lansing, Mi to announce the launch of the Energy Future campaign and to drop off Valentines Day cards to members of the Michigan Legislature. The event included an opening address by Rep. Gabe Leland (D — Detroit), and speeches by Sue Browne of the Blue Green Alliance, Rep. Fred Miller (D- 31st District), Rep. Marie Donigan (D-Royal Oak), and Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith (D — 54th district). The M.S.S.C. had speeches from Chris Detjen, Erica Tauzer, Sarah Mulkoff and Tremaine Phillips. Members of the M.S.S.C. were also recognized on the house and Senate floor by Rep. Michael Sak (D — Distict 76) and Sen. Mark Schauer (D — district 19).

The M.S.S.C. dropped off the cards in conjunction with thousands of youth across the state that sent online Valentines Day cards to the state legislature over the past month through Cleanenergylove.com. The Valentines Day cards are in support of the Energy Future Campaign that includes 4 asks from the Michigan legislature:

1. A renewable energy standard (RES) of at least 25% by 2025.
2. Energy efficiency (EE) standard requiring 2% annual energy efficiency increases in this state between now and 2015, with a commitment to the renegotiation of a stronger standard after 2015.
3. Integrated Resource Planning (IRP), which would require state regulators to consider demand-side options like energy efficiency programs as well as supply-side options in their efforts to meet Michigan’s needs for energy, equity, and the environment.
4. A moratorium on new coal-fired power plants in Michigan.

“Think about our future as youth, both our economy and the places we will live in Michigan,” said Erica Tauzer of Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition. “Before we allow more dirty energy facilities to be built in Michigan, please recognize that in a few short years we will inherit these new facilities. We need the State Legislature to put policies in place that promote clean energy, job growth and a revitalization of the Michigan economy. Coal and nuclear facilities are old technology and we need to transition to clean sources of energy”

“Our world is at a crossroads,” added Tremaine Phillips, coordinator of Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition. “The actions we take today as a society to address the challenge of climate change will determine the future of our generation and generations to come. The time has come for us to make a change.”

For more information on the Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition, please visit: www.groups.google.com/group/mssc_mi. For more information on Valentines Card Campaign, please visit: www.cleanenergylove.com.

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