Earth Week should be a lifestyle Published April 1, 2009 By Lt. Col. Edwin Oshiba 375th Civil Engineer Squadron commander SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- In less than a month, we'll be celebrating Earth Week. It all started April 22, 1970, when 20 million people across America celebrated the first Earth Day. It was a time when cities were buried under their own smog and polluted rivers caught fire. Now Earth Day is celebrated annually around the globe. Through the combined efforts of the U.S. government, grassroots organizations and Airmen like you, what started as a day of national environmental recognition has evolved into a worldwide campaign to protect our global environment and conserve our natural resources. But Earth Week should not be just a week--it should be a lifestyle. Preserving our natural infrastructure--our air, water, land and energy resources--is more than a "feel good" slogan; it's a matter of national security and can significantly impact our mission capability. Our continued access to vital air and ground operational and training areas depends upon our ability to be good stewards of the environment. Additionally, increased energy costs have significantly impacted the Air Force's bottom line. Just a $10 increase in a barrel of oil costs the Air Force almost $600 million a year--money better spent fighting the Global War on Terrorism or recapitalizing our aging weapon systems. Energy conservation is no longer a "nice to do," it's a "must do." Our utility bill is roughly $10.5 million annually--and you thought your bill was high! Prior to 2007, the federal government required a 2 percent per year reduction in energy consumption at all federal facilities. In January 2007, faced with increasing energy costs and seeking to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources, President George W. Bush signed an executive order mandating a 3 percent reduction each year. In the past, the air staff helped Air Mobility Command pay its energy bill if we could not meet the energy conservation goals. This year is different. We are funded at only 95 percent of the requirement and there is no promise of a "bailout" if we cannot make our energy reduction goals. Put more simply: if we spend more than we are allotted, we may have to take the balance from base funding for supplies, temporary duty funds, facility repair funds, etc., to cover the shortfall. So how can you help? Start by looking around your work area. Turn off your lights when you leave a room. Turn off office equipment, televisions, monitors and printers and other non-mission electronic equipment at night and on weekends. Contact your facility manager to ensure thermostats are adjusted properly and dress appropriately for the season. Avoid using space heaters. Share a ride to work or use our public transportation system. Recycle your paper, plastic, cardboard and aluminum cans. Taking these simple steps can make a huge difference. For example, by just activating the sleep/standby mode on your computer during non-duty hours, you could save approximately $45 per year.