R 171414Z APR 12
UNCLASSIFIED//
MARADMIN 222/12
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC L//
SUBJ/EARTH DAY MESSAGE 2012//
GENTEXT/RMKS/1. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON OUR MISSION AS A MARINE CORPS, BOTH DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY. AS A FIGHTING FORCE, WE RECOGNIZE THE INTERDEPENDENCE OF OUR MISSION, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE, BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD. GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PROTECTS THE CONDITION OF AND ACCESS TO THE TRAINING AREAS THAT ARE INTEGRAL TO MAKING MARINES. IT ALSO ALLOWS FUTURE GENERATIONS OF MARINES AND OUR SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES THE SAME BENEFITS FROM OUR PLANET THAT WE ENJOY TODAY.
2. EARTH DAY OFFERS US A CHANCE TO REEXAMINE THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS IN CONSIDERATION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT.  SOUND PRACTICES THAT CONSIDER AND MINIMIZE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS SERVE TO MINIMIZE OUR LOGISTICS FOOTPRINT, REDUCE OUR OPERATIONAL COSTS, ENSURE THE HEALTH OF OUR FORCES AND ENHANCE FORCE PROTECTION.  I CHALLENGE ALL COMMANDERS TO ENSURE THAT IMPACT MITIGATION MEASURES SUCH AS WASTE REDUCTION, RECYCLING, MINIMIZED ENERGY USE AND PROPER WASTE DISPOSAL ARE BEING USED AT THEIR COMMANDS. I CHALLENGE ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM MANAGERS TO PURSUE AND EXPLOIT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTNERSHIPS, BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE OF DOD, TO ACHIEVE ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS. I CHALLENGE ALL MARINES, SAILORS, CIVILIANS, AND THEIR FAMILIES TO CONSIDER THE IMPACT OF INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS AND MAKE CHANGES THAT WILL PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT, INCREASE OUR SUSTAINABILITY AND SET A POSITIVE EXAMPLE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. AS GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS, YOU ARE ALL CONTRIBUTING DIRECTLY TO THE MISSION SUCCESS OF THE MARINE CORPS EVERY DAY.
3. EARTH DAY IS RECOGNIZED ON 22 APRIL. THE MARINE CORPS THEME FOR THIS YEARS EARTH DAY IS PARTNERING FOR A GREENER FUTURE. OUR INSTALLATIONS ARE PARTICIPATING IN A WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES TO RAISE AWARENESS OF OUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND TO REAFFIRM OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARD THE EARTH AND ITS RESOURCES. WHETHER YOU ARE AT HOME OR ABROAD, I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO USE THIS EARTH DAY TO REFLECT ON OUR MISSION AS MARINES, WHICH INCLUDES A STANDING OBLIGATION TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT AS WE PROTECT OUR NATION, IN THE AIR, ON LAND, AND SEA.
4. RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY, F. PANTER, LTGEN, USMC, DEPUTY COMMANDANT INSTALLATIONS AND LOGISTICS.//