On April 22nd, countries around the world will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. In a recent video address to commemorate the event, President Obama highlighted Washington’s role in protecting the environment. The 2009 Recovery and Reinvestment Act has invested billions of dollars in clean energy and water projects throughout the U.S., as well as in research programs to advance the use of clean energy sources such as solar, wind and electric battery technology. The Obama Administration has also taken executive action to increase automobile fuel economy and air pollution standards.
The U.S. Environment Agency is kicking off the anniversary on April 24th with a two-day event in Washington which showcases EPA’s many achievements in protecting America’s environmental heritage. One of the event’s major features is the National Sustainable Design Expo, which will present the best new green technologies and alternative energy designs from more than 40 college teams.
The U.S. Air Force is also no stranger to environmental stewardship. For Earth Day’s 40th anniversary, the U.S. Air Force has recommitted to protecting more than eight million acres of land and water areas including over 234 acres of wetland, 570,000 acres of forest land, 200 miles of preserved coastline and 70 endangered and threatened species. In addition, the U.S. Air Force continues to lead research efforts on alternative and renewable energy sources.
Yet Washington is only one of many actors on this important stage. Grassroots, citizen-initiated action is vital in achieving a cleaner, greener world. In his April 13th address, President Obama urged Americans to take local action and make a difference in their communities – and from coast-to-coast they are doing just that.
In Massachusetts, Salem State College has organized April 12-22 an environmental series entitled “Growing a Greener Economy for a Healthier Planet”. The series features lectures on wind power and food sustainability, environmentally-conscious art work, and multiple environment-networking opportunities for students and the local community.
On April 17th at North Hampton State Beach in New Hampshire, local divers took to the ocean depths to remove debris from the sea floor, while non-divers cleaned-up the surrounding beach areas. Maryland-based vendor and growers gathered for lectures on how to increase sustainability within their organizations, while volunteers from a Georgia middle school helped with trail beautification in nearby forests.
What better way to remind people how important their environment is, than to get them actively using it! On April 17th and 18th, Cloudland Canyon State Park invited visitors to an Outdoor Adventure Weekend of caving, climbing, rappelling and fishing at rock-bottom prices ($3-$5 an event).
And the celebrations continue. On April 22nd, the community of Carbondale, Illinois is hosting an “Off the Grid” Solar Music Festival. Residents of Boise, Idaho will be planting trees along the city’s main streets on April 24th. In Portland, Oregon, Audubon Society volunteers will gather on April 24th to rebuild a bridge over a local waterway.
Here at US Embassy Helsinki, we are also making a difference. We have just added two Chevrolet flexi-fuel vehicles to the Embassy fleet. We have also installed more motion-sensor lights in Embassy corridors.
In June 2010, Ambassador and Mrs. Oreck will host a bee colony in their backyard to promote the importance of local beekeeping. Expert beekeeper Corwin Bell is visiting Finland this month to connect with the local Finnish beekeeping community, and share information on new, advanced bee hive equipment that is effective and easy to use for first-time beekeepers.
Ambassador and Mrs. Oreck also have plans to create an Embassy vegetable garden at their residence this summer, to support the use of organically-grown, sustainable produce.
Perhaps our most ambitious green project is the rehabilitation the 109-year old Chancery Annex. Ambassador Oreck is working hard to incorporate green elements into the renovation plans. Use of advanced insulation and state-of-the-art lighting are just a few of the elements that will improve the building’s energy-efficiency and reduce the Embassy’s carbon footprint.
So whether from north-to-south, coast-to-coast, or even beyond in our overseas Embassies, Americans are actively working to make the world a little greener for many more Earth Days to come.
** More information on local U.S Earth Day celebrations can be obtain from the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/earthday/events.htm.
