Earth Day's 40th anniversary activities emphasize awareness

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brigitte Brantley
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Every year on April 22, countless individuals around the world participate in activities that promote awareness for something that is invaluable- the ground they stand on every day.
Moody will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day with activities that include many presentations designed to spread awareness for the Earth.

Along with the Air Force's ongoing energy-awareness initiative, Moody's internal goal is to reduce energy use 15 percent by October.

"With the focus this year on energy awareness and conservation, it's even more important for us to remain vigilant," said Elvis Lane, 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron environmental specialist. "Being aware of how much energy we use and how to reduce that amount are vital in trying to keep our Earth ready for future generations."

Most of the Earth Day presentations are tailored to the younger generation for a good reason.

"It's best to educate individuals when they are younger because of their impressionability," said Mr. Lane. "The younger they are, the easier it is for them to form a habit and so they will grow up doing things such as switching off the lights or recycling. If we don't instill these habits before they are old enough, they will have already established their habits and be less receptive to changes such as using less water or energy."

Also, if individuals now do not take initiative to be environmentally mindful, there could be negative consequences.

"Although it takes effort, it affects our everyday lives and positively results in having a healthy and safe working environment," said Cathy Dolan, 23rd CES environmental management systems coordinator. "It's up to each of us to take responsibility in our roles as environmental stewards.

"With this effort, our natural resources will be preserved and we will be able to breathe easier in our environment," she added. "We will have clean waters for fishing, swimming and boating, have beautiful parklands to enjoy and most importantly, future generations will be able to enjoy our Earth as much as we do now."

This year's Earth Day schedule of events is as follows:
April 20- Presentation for children at W.G. Nunn Elementary School
April 21- Presentations for pre-kindergarten children at the Child Development Center and for school-aged children at the Youth Center
April 22- Informational booth and giveaways at Base Exchange, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The presentations will reach more than 140 children and usually include activities that stimulate environment-oriented thinking.

Earth Day is now celebrated in more than 140 countries and individuals can make a personal commitment to make environmental protection a part of their daily lives by going to www.epa.gov.