Earth Day promotes water, energy conservation

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Spencer Gallien
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga -- --  Moody Air Force Base will celebrate Earth Day April 21-25 by asking everyone to concentrate on conserving energy and water.

The base has several activities scheduled throughout the week, including speakers at local schools, the Youth Center and Child Development Center, an Earth Day fun run and an information booth at the Base Exchange.

"In 1970, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson envisioned a day dedicated to the earth," said Elvis Lane, 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron environmental specialist. "Twenty-million people participated in demonstrations across the country. This helped prompt the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and is remembered as the first ever Earth Day.

"Every April 22, concerned citizens around the world gather to organize and promote social, cultural and economic behaviors we must adopt to leave a healthy and sustainable planet for our children," he added.

Every individual can do their part through practicing responsible recycling, saving energy, conserving water, carpooling and buying products made from recycled material rather then raw material, said Mr. Lane.

Airmen will also participate in an Air Combat Command initiative to conserve base energy. More than 500 compact fluorescent light bulbs will be shipped to Moody along with a selection of occupancy motion sensors.

The CFL bulb will replace existing incandescent light bulbs in the workplace and dormitories, significantly reducing the amount of energy we use here, said Robert Montgomery, 23rd CES wing energy manager.

"The CFL bulb has an 8,000 hour-life versus the incandescent bulb's 750 hour-life," Mr. Montgomery said. "In total, we are looking at savings of approximately $15,800 in electrical costs per year. This is a win-win situation for everyone.

"On top of the energy-saving bulbs, we will be placing motion sensors in areas such as bathrooms, maintenance rooms and offices where people have a tendency to leave lights on," added Mr. Montgomery. "These motion sensors will detect when there is no movement in a room and after a programmed period of time the lights will turn off."

Furthermore, Airmen, who live in the local area, can support the Keep Lowndes/Valdosta Beautiful project, a local contingent of the Keep America Beautiful program, by volunteering in the Great American Cleanup on April 19.

Booths will also be set up at the BX to provide information on the environmental programs.

"We ask all Airmen to come by the Base Exchange throughout the Earth Day week and learn new ways to conserve as well as taking a peek at one of the 23rd Wing's electric cars," said Mr. Lane. "Remember, everyday is Earth Day--we just celebrate it on April 22."

For more information on Keep Valdosta/Lowndes Beautiful, contact 229-671-2499.

For more information on Earth Day, contact 229-257-3849.