European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 20, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 10 a the stars and stripes letters readers sound off in support of Earth Day on april 22, 1970, people around the world celebrated the first Earth Day by burying autos wearing Gas masks while protesting nuclear Power and by parading through City streets while wearing tree and animal costumes. Though the tactics were simple perhaps even ludicrous Earth Day 1970 brought thousands of people into existing environmental groups and encouraged the formation of Many More. Sunday another Earth Day will be celebrated and organizers expect More than 100 million people in 134 countries to participate. Earth Day 1990 represents the maturing of the environmental movement and initiates the environmental decade. The military Community of the 1970s and the Early environmental movement frequently found themselves in opposition to one another. Since those earlier Days both the military and the environmental movement have evolved into highly professional institutions. Now the military must decide whether there is room within the Warrior mentality for environmental consciousness. In the Wake of changes in Eastern Europe and a growing awareness of the consequences of environmentally damaging behaviour the military must assume a leading role in combating this newly recognized threat. After All environmental degradation is As worthy of our attention As our current and previous enemies and is potentially More deadly. Our newest enemy surfaces in Many forms. It appears As a Hole in the Ozone layer As Oil covered carcasses of otters and water fowl As nuclear accidents As poisoned water As toxic waste As ravaged rain forests and As extinct species. Our newest enemy is complicated elusive and non discriminatory in respect to its victims. It fails to conform to National boundaries and has invaded every Corner of the Earth to include the once Pristine continent of Antarctica the Remote Jungles of Brazil and the great Barrier reef of Australia. However this enemy is no More invincible than our past enemies. History has shown that the . Military performs at its Best in the face of overwhelming Odds. The time has arrived to make environmental consciousness a part of the Warrior mentality. Earth Day 1990 provides us the Opportunity to commemorate the moment. Beginning this sunday consider the environmental implications of your daily activities and Start your own War against excess and abuse. Here Are some relatively easy Steps you can take a waste not. Avoid using disposable utensils cups and plates. Use sponges and reusable Wash cloths instead of paper towels. Buy products made from recyclable materials. Collect Glass and paper for recycling. Done to litter or throw cigarette Butts on the ground. A save Energy. Buy Energy efficient appliances. Turn out lights when not needed. Use heating and air conditioning sparingly. A conserve water. Done to let water run when not being used. Save Laundis and dishes until you have full loads. Use phosphate free biodegradable detergents. Repair All drips and leaks immediately. A drive smart. Keep your Speed Down. Use radial tires and keep the engine tuned. If stopped for More than 30 seconds turn off the engine. Use Public transportation walk or Bike when possible. A avoid poisons. Use natural insect controls and fertilizers. Pull weeds instead of using herbicides. Done to pour poisons or Petroleum products on the ground or into sewers. Save Oil for recycling. A educate and protect. Teach children to respect nature and to conserve resources. Done to buy plants or animals taken illegally from the wild. Support environmentally sound legislation. As americans living abroad we represent our government and the ideals of our nation. Earth Day 1990 is a great Opportunity to demonstrate that we Are committed to environmental Protection and resource conservation. Beginning sunday Start waging your own War against environmental abuse and adopt a lifestyle As if every Day were Earth Day. A capt. William David Darmstadt West Germany with All this talk and worry about our environment Earth Day 20april 22, 1990 i think we members of the armed forces should help by recycling. We should also not use styrofoam containers for takeout orders in restaurants. I heard that those Are very bad for our world. In a new Here in England and i done to know for sure if we have an aluminium recycling Center but we should. I mean Arentt we part of this world too in a sure there Are other ways to help too. Cd. Gilmore Raf Mildenhall England sunday will Mark the 20th anniversary of the first Earth Day Celebration. Now it has become almost fashionable to show concern for the spaceship Earth. But what can we As soldiers serving overseas do to help protect the Earth a environment Here Are some suggestions try not driving your car. Ride a Bike to the Exchange. Walk or organize a car Pool to work. If you find that you can do it on april 22nd, Why not set aside a goal of not using your car at least once every week for the week of april 22-28, save All the Glass tin aluminium and paper that you normally would have thrown away. Most German communities have containers where they can be deposited and then recycled. Try not turning on every Light in your House when it becomes dark and turn the lights off when not in use. Done to use your television at All. Instead read something or spend time with your family. Pick up some litter from the ground especially aluminium cans which deteriorate very slowly and can be recycled. Very few of us would Ever consider throwing garbage to the ground but How Many times have we passed by garbage too embarrassed or unconcerned to pick it up All of these things that we can do May seem trivial and insignificant. But when multiplied by the hundreds of thousands of Dod personnel they can really add up a saving the . Government Money and helping to protect the environment. A or. And mrs. John Winslow Munich West Germany. Our changing Mission Here in Europe will re fire us to rethink Many of the ways we have been oing things for the past 40 years. Additionally As the world we live in continues to grow More interconnected Earth Day helps to remind us that we also have a duty to act responsibly As global citizens to protect 3 not Only Owr own Homes and our Freedom but also the land where we live As guests. We must All a think globally but act  a Jason Moses Berlin it is critical that every single person know the truth. Our planet is struggling to survive. We need to get the word out that our demands for More and More material goods is so depleting our Earth s natural resources that All life is now at risk. This awareness this education of others to the reality of our situation is an important action that each one of us must take. Each persons smallest actions to conserve resources and Energy to consume less non essential material goods and especially to Recycle products after use All substantially help to save our Earth. It is the Little actions we take each Day that count in a big Way toward protecting the environment. In most German towns there Are recycling bins for Glass and Metal. Take the time to use them if you want to make a difference. A Jamie Guinn Lesheim West Germany Cynthia j. Cooke a provocative letter a what about the planet asks for ways to Abate the most serious problems facing people today. Those issues pollution homelessness crime and drug abuse concern me also. I offer the following guidelines treat others As you want to be treated. Never base your actions on what others do except in the most superficial of decisions a . Proper attire for a social function. If i done to take advantage of this immoral Deal someone else will so i might As Well profit everyone else throws trash out their car windows All my friends sleep with their boyfriends never give up a always be responsible. The world is in such sick shape it does no to pay to make any Effort to improve it without restricting your lifestyle eliminate Energy and material waste. Done to waste water or heat. Do you waste a lot of water when you Brush your Teeth is it necessary to put a few apples in a plastic bag at the commissary is it necessary to put a few magazines in a plastic bag after purchasing them at the Bookstore on a sunny Day is it necessary to have the cashier put a few items that can readily be hand carried in a plastic bag at the Exchange try asking them not to i have never been refused. If you expect to make a Purchase and want to put it in a bag try to bring one from Home. Recycle. Gently encourage others to follow these guidelines. A Joan r. Gibson Kapaun air station West Germany we were delighted to read your article about Earth Day. We too will be celebrating Earth Day Here in Berlin with a two week program of activities and projects involving every Grade level. This seemed to be an Ideal Way of educating the children about environmental concerns and doing something positive Tor our own local habitat at the same time. The two week program starts on april 23 with a sponsored Cycle to work. Teachers Are being asked to leave their cars at Home and either ride to work or take Public transport. We re hoping to get sponsorship for those cycling on a per mile basis i be funds we raise Are to be used to Plant Trees and Flowers on our Campus. During the following 14 Days the children will be learning about water pollution endangered species Energy conservation and recycling schemes. Obviously we Hope to get the whole Community interested in our project a so please support us in any Way to can. A Catherine Ruckert _ environmental awareness committee Berlin elementary school pen pals we Are looking or pen pals. A Maria Celeste j. Arro. 19 a Rosie a. Meruelo 20 education department West Negros College Bacolod City Negros Occidental Philippines my hobbies Are Reading going to the theater walking listening to music and Long sleep. A Barroel Sellien Brock hues Weg 10 4420 cd Feld West Germany i am a 25-year-old teacher. A Maria Gemma j. Arro it nos Louisiana ext. Orgy. A to Dago City Negros Occidental Philippines i am 21 years old. A May j. Jacinto Polo us state College Talisay Negros Occidental Philippines i am 26 years old and my interests Are collecting Stamps coins minerals and autographs. A Michael Bittner Paffen Kohlweg 12 8750 a Schallenburg West Germany i am a 28-year-old filipino. My hobbies Are cooking sewing swimming singing and watching to and movies. A Marietta Pintor Calinagan Dumaguet City 6200 Philippines i am 31 years old and my hobbies include writing letters Reading novels and magazines singing and dancing. A Evangeline t. Busa City mayor s office City Hall Dorngan Butman City 8600. Philippines we Are looking for pen pals. A Gloria Ortega a so Cero Mejorada 60 Hilado ext Bacolod City Philippines 6001 Reading writ i am a 14-year-old male. I enjoy cooking Reading ing and the american Way a Andrew s. Webster ats Giessen Aba v