Team Andersen observes Earth Week Published April 23, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Chris Powell 36th Wing Public Affairs ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- After Gov. Felix Camacho proclaimed April 19-26 Earth Week on Guam, Team Andersen members came together to kick off the environmental observance on April 19. The event began with a fun run at Tarague Beach, and later in the morning, Col. Gregory Cain, 36th Wing vice commander, read an Arbor Day proclamation, which was followed by an Ifit Tree planting at Arc Light Memorial Field. "I don't want us to walk away and treat this as just a one-time event," he said. "So rather than be just a single day for celebration, I have a few suggestions that ... all of us can do in our day-to-day activities. "First and foremost, we'll plant a tree today. It increases, not only the beauty of the environment, but also helps to remove some of the bad things from the air," he added. The colonel's other tips were to use fluorescent light bulbs because they use less energy and last longer; purchase and use reusable bags when going to the commissary; don't drive when going short distances, instead ride a bike because it saves money and doesn't pollute and to not use Styrofoam coffee cups. "Our planet is in crisis due to global warming, overpopulation, and other critical environmental issues," said Russ Grossley, from the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron's environmental office. "Every person on Earth shares the responsibility to do as much as they can to preserve the planet's finite natural resources today and for future generations. The personal responsibility we all share to think globally and act locally as environmental stewards of planet Earth has never been more timely or important." Andersen has been doing its part in recycling to keep our environment cleaner and safer. The Air Force has a sound recycling program, diverting more than 1,400 tons of solid waste from entering its landfill in the past year, according to the 36th CES' John Salas. Also present at the Earth Week celebration were a fruit bat and Guam Rail display, a brown tree snake demo and the announcement of AAFES' "What is the Meaning of Earth Day" essay winners. The winners were Dewr and Nate Olech, 9 and 12 years old, respectively and Shayna Craig, 15 years old. The afternoon closed with Girl Scouts collecting 30 bags of trash at the Tarague Basin. Although Team Andersen celebrated the kick off Earth Week, it will also be actively involved with Guam's events, too. The base will host a "Conserve and Protect" booth during Guam's Island Pride Festival at Ypao Beach Park April 26.