| February
1, 2007
Vancouver's Renowned Wedgewood Joins Ranks of World's
First Carbon Neutral Hotel
VANCOUVER, BC ( Business Wire) Vancouver, British Columbia's award-winning
Wedgewood Hotel and Spa has entered into an agreement with Planktos
Inc. to purchase sufficient carbon credits to make the Wedgewood
'Carbon Neutral' and zero out all its CO 2 emissions. Each Planktos
carbon credit represents one tonne of CO2 that has been removed
from the air and sequestered – put away – for a long,
long time. Planktos produces these credits by restoring vital ecosystems
on land and in the sea.
The entire Wedgewood Hotel operation has been estimated to generate
approximately 500 tonnes of CO2 annually based upon its total energy
consumption, and the Wedgewood has contracted to purchase 5,000
tonnes of carbon credits or a 10-year supply.
CO2 is the primary greenhouse gas driving global warming and international
efforts are now underway to reduce its levels in the atmosphere.
As a signatory of the Kyoto Accord, Canada committed to reduce its
emissions 6% below 1990 levels by 2012, yet its current emission
levels are actually 30% higher than 1990.
Since Canada's Kyoto commitments do not obligate small firms or
citizens, the Wedgewood has initiated this Carbon Neutral program
and reduced its net emissions to zero entirely voluntarily, and
hopes it will set an example for other Canadian businesses and industries.
According to general manager, Philip Meyer, "the Wedgewood
has always been a good corporate citizen and given the very real
threat now posed by climate change, we have decided to act locally
and sensibly for the global good. We chose CO 2 offsets from Planktos
because they not only erase our operation's carbon footprint, they
also help restore the sea life, ocean health and wilderness beauty
so valued by Canadian citizens and our discerning clientele. A good
hotel should indulge and enchant its visitor, but it can also help
to educate. We hope our guests leave here with new ideas about aesthetics
and fine cuisine and now environmentally responsible behaviour as
well."
Planktos CEO Russ George adds, "As longtime admirers of the
Wedgewood's standards of excellence, we at Planktos were both impressed
by their pioneering response to climate change and greatly gratified
that they chose ecorestoration as the most beneficial and cost-effective
solution. Since the Wedgewood entertains so many prominent and influential
figures, we believe their decision to lead the hotel world into
the climate fight will reverberate far and wide. This will not only
earn them yet another trend-setting distinction, it can help publicize
the climatic healing power of ecosystem renewal internationally.
Considering our current need for urgent worldwide response, it will
hopefully also remind the entire travel industry it has a very special
role to play."
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Planktos, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Solar Energy Limited
(OTCB: SLRE) soon to be acquired by Diatom Corp (OTCBB: DTMC). Solar
has reached agreement with Diatom to sell Planktos, Inc. to Diatom
for a majority interest in Diatom shares after which Diatom intends
to change its name to Planktos Corp.
Contacts
Philip Meyer Tel: 604 689 7777 pmeyer@wedgewoodhotel.com
David Kubiak Tel: 650-638-1975 #203 david@planktos.com
Philip Meyer
General Manager
Wedgewood Hotel
pmeyer@wedgewoodhotel.com
www.wedgewoodhotel.com
Ph: 604-608-5311
Fx: 604-608-5349
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