Make a personal commitment to Planet Earth

Don Doran
USAG Kaiserslautern

Resource conservation, waste and pollution prevention, energy awareness and installation sustainability.

These are but a few of the terms and buzzwords we hear relating to environmental programs today. 

According to executive orders and Department of Defense regulations, all military installations must have these programs tied together under the umbrella of an Environmental Management System. An EMS documents the installation’s operations and activities with respect to potential impact on the environment. 

This includes everything from the air we breathe, our drinking water, waste water generated, toxic materials used, trash and industrial waste streams generated, fuel consumption, energy use, consideration of our natural resources and protection of cultural resources known or suspected to exist in the area.

Some of the above may seem very impersonal for most of us; however, all of us living on, working for or assigned to the installation play a part. How about you? Are you part of a problem, or helping with solutions?

Is your car maintained properly, not left running to clear the windows or while waiting several minutes in the drive-through line?

Do you have leaky faucets, a toilet that won’t stop running, or do you leave the water running while you’re brushing your teeth or doing the dishes?

 Do you buy “green” products?

When we talk about “waste streams” every one of us generates trash. Do you recycle? And do you separate your household-hazard items from the trash?

Do you walk short distances, ride-share, make an effort to reduce personal car trips or use public transportation to reduce your “carbon footprint?”

When we talk about “energy use,” do you leave heat, lights, appliances or equipment on when not in use or when no one is at home or in the office or shop?

Do you keep your house cat in the house rather than out terrorizing, killing and eating local songbirds, lizards, bats and other endangered wildlife?

Have you considered neutering your pet to prevent uncontrolled reproduction and litters of animals for which you cannot find homes?
Yes, it is this personal. We all can make a difference. We only have one Earth and some resources are limited. Spend an extra moment each day to evaluate what you can do to help save money and resources for yourself, your family budget, the DOD, all American taxpayers and the environment. 

On behalf of your command, your neighbors and future generations, thank you for making this a personal commitment.  Our German hosts have a saying that roughly translates to, “We have but one Earth that we have borrowed from our children.”  That said, let’s partner with them to help protect it.

Respect the environment, your neighbors

Office of Public Order officials at the Weilerbach Union Community Administration would like to stress the provisions of the State Emission Law as well as the Road Traffic Regulation to off-base residents based on recent incidents.

The office received an increased number of complaints from residents who felt disturbed by the unnecessary warm-up of car engines.

According to the State Emission Law, residents are to refrain from producing all
avoidable noise and air pollution that might bother another person.
It is especially forbidden to unnecessarily run noise- and exhaust-producing motors or to run them unnecessarily loud. The Road Traffic Regulation also forbids the unnecessary running of motors and the ensuing noise pollution.

Officials ask all residents to take this into consideration in the future for the sake of good neighborly relations and environmental protection. For more information, contact the Weilerbach Office of Public Order at 06374-922137.

Editor’s note: The State Emission Law and Road Traffic Regulation pertains to all German union communities and cities.

(Courtesy of the Weilerbach Union Community Administration Office)