US Naval Hospital on Okinawa contributes to national environmental movement with clean up

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey Cordero | Petty Officer 1st Class Levera Murray, a volunteer at the "I Love Camp Lester Day Clean-up" April 25, helps Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Brown separate trash from recyclables collected throughout the event. The goal of the clean up was to preserve the land on Camp Lester and the surrounding area.  

05.01.2008

Courtesy Story

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

By Pfc. Jeffery Cordero
III Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs

CAMP LESTER, OKINAWA, Japan – The U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa Chief Petty Officers Association and the USNH First Class Petty Officers Association observed Earth Day April 25, contributing to the worldwide environmental effort with the first "I Love Camp Lester Day Clean-up."

"The goal of the clean-up was to preserve the vital historic land of Camp Lester and the surrounding area," said Chief Petty Officer Claude P. Copeland, the event coordinator.

About 20 people took part in the event and collected approximately 15 bags of trash. Afterward, the bags collected were separated into recyclables and trash.

"We need to come out here and help clean it up," said Chief Petty Officer Renato M. Feliciano, directorate for surgical services at the hospital. "This sets an example for the community to understand the importance of not littering and keeping our environment clean for future generations."

Copeland plans to make "I Love Camp Lester Day" an annual event and hopes to increase participation.

"We would like to see a partnership between the Lester Middle School children and the staff of the hospital," Copeland said. "The partnership next year would not only clean up the area on Camp Lester and the highway 58 fence, but plant trees on the camp as well."

Since Earth Day began, America's gross domestic product has increased 195 percent, vehicle miles traveled have increased 178 percent, energy consumption has increased 48 percent, and U.S. population has grown by 42 percent, according to the EPA.

But due to national efforts, total emissions of the six principal air pollutants dropped by 53 percent throughout the same time period.

According to the Department of Defense's Fiscal 2007 Annual Energy Report, the Energy Conservation Investment Program is tasking all federal establishments to reduce energy consumption by three percent each year until 2015.

Military members and their families can contribute to energy conservation through a few simple lifestyle changes to include: switching to fluorescent light bulbs, turning off electronic equipment and unplugging them when not in use, purchasing only appliances labeled "Energy Star," turning off lights when leaving a room, keeping thermostats at 76 degrees Fahrenheit, 24.4 degrees Celsius, repairing leaking faucets and recycling and reusing materials.

• Date Taken: 05.01.2008
• Date Posted: 05.01.2008 02:36
• Story ID: 18979