Earth Day 2012

During the month of April, more than 1 billion people in 192 countries worldwide will commemorate “Earth Day,” including our host nation, Germany.  “Earth Day” was first celebrated in the United States more than 40 years ago.  Today, environmental stewardship and understanding the importance of recycling, waste reduction and energy conservation remain critically important. 

This year, the Air Force will celebrate Earth Day today. In fact, the Air Force has launched a comprehensive program to reduce energy and water consumption with yearly goals while increasing installation sustainability. Meeting these goals is reliant on the behavior of each person living and working on Kaiserslautern Military Community installations and within the local area — this means YOU! 

In order to support this year’s Earth Day theme of “Conserve Today — Secure Tomorrow,” start with small steps, like changing your conventional light bulbs to energy saving bulbs. These more efficient bulbs use 80 percent less energy and can last 10 times longer. These bulbs pay for themselves in savings within one year, saving money and reducing carbon emissions produced by electrical companies each year over their 10 life expectancy.

Look around your office or place of work.  If you notice incandescent bulbs still in place, talk to the facility manager. The self-help store offers these to your unit for free. If you are a resident on base, you can also get these bulbs for free at your U-Fix-It store. 

On base, you can save at no cost if you are aware of your resources! Try unplugging your electronic devices from the wall or connecting them to a power strip with an off button instead of leaving them on standby; these items still draw power even when turned off. Washing your clothes at a lower temperature with modern detergents reduces energy use and still gets the job done. 

Beyond utilities, there are other ways to save. Think about all of the “stuff” we have.  Where does it all come from?  Where does it go when we are done with it? Imagine this: the production of a small cell phone weighing only 1/4 pound consumes 165 pounds of resources.

In addition, under the shiny plastic exterior are parts that contain heavy metals which, if not disposed of correctly, can have a devastating impact to the environment. We don’t have to give up our lifestyles in order to commit to acts of green; we only need to make smarter decisions.  Before we buy new items, we should first ask ourselves if we really need them or if there is a way we can reuse or refurbish something old. 

When you find you must buy new, are you willing to purchase products from many of the reputable companies who utilize sustainable practices whenever possible? There is a hugely popular movement toward “sustainable consumerism,” which is purchasing goods produced with the minimum amount of resource consumption. 

Not only does this concept apply to things like electronics, toys and textiles; sustainable consumerism can be applied to our food sources as well. Large supermarkets often provide goods that are grown thousands of miles away, sometimes in a location that requires extensive irrigation. 

Usually, various chemicals are applied to increase the production and shelf life of the food as it is transported long distances to a store which in turn consumes large amounts of electricity before it reaches the consumer.

Conversely, the food at an organic or local farmers’ market is grown with fewer or no chemicals to be sold in the local area. Farmers’ markets provide the freshest seasonal produce which is better for our health with less environmental impact.  Did you know that many nearby cities, including Kaiserslautern, hold regular farmers’ markets?

During Earth Day 2012, think about all the little things you can do that will save money at home and at work, protect the environment, and help your family to focus on sustainability. More tips on reducing your ecological footprint can be obtained at 86th Civil Engineer Squadron, Asset Management Flight, 06371-47-7712.

Please check the memorandum on Earth Day 2012 by Michael B. Donley, Secretary of the Air Force, and James A. Roy, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, on the Air Force Portal.