From: Reuters
BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International (NYSE: MAR) is
participating in Team Earth, a worldwide sustainability movement that unites
businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals to address five critical
environmental issues: climate change, water, health, waste and food. The
initiative urges individual actions and presents easy solutions to ensure a
more sustainable world.
"We are proud to join Team Earth, because we believe that protecting the
environment is part of our mission to provide people around the world with the
rewards of travel, not just today, but in the years to come," said Bill
Marriott, Chairman and CEO of Marriott International.
Team Earth is represented by three non-profit organizations: Conservation
International, Rocky Mountain Institute and Prince's Rainforest Project.
Founding companies include Dell, Harrah's, SC Johnson, Starbucks, and Wrigley,
and PepsiCo China, ePals and Marriott International are also participating.
"We feel strongly that a stable climate, fresh water resources, a sustainable
food supply and a healthy environment are vital for our survival and we must
therefore share the responsibility of taking specific actions toward the
earth's protection," said Chairman and CEO of Conservation International Peter
Seligmann.
Team Earth is committed to recruiting individuals to save the world's forests,
a vital element in preventing climate change, by signing up for the Prince's
Rainforest Project campaign at the Team Earth beta site, www.teamearth.com.
The Prince's Rainforest Project, established by The Prince of Wales, calls for
emergency action and funding in order to achieve a fast and significant
reduction in tropical deforestation by helping rainforest nations to focus
instead on alternative, more environmentally friendly (low carbon) economic
development activities. By signing up, Team Earth members add their voice to
the many calling for urgent action to fight climate change by saving forests.
The official Team Earth web site will launch in November 2009 and will include
social networking functionalities, educational content, environmental impact
measuring tools and more.
In 2008, Marriott announced its environmental strategy to help protect the
environment and address climate change. The plan calls for the company's $2
million commitment to help protect 1.4 million acres of Amazon rainforest in
Brazil. Guests can also make donations. To learn more, visit
www.marriott.com/savetherainforest and www.marriott.com/spirittopreserve.