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ALNAV 033/06
UNCLAS //N02300// 
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SUBJ/DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 2006 EARTH DAY MESSAGE//
RMKS/1.  ON APRIL 22, THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY CELEBRATES THE 36TH
ANNIVERSARY OF EARTH DAY WITH PRIDE AS WE CONTINUE TO DEMONSTRATE
OUR COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT.
2.  WE VALUE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH THE NATION AND REAFFIRM
OUR COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING THE AIR, LAND AND SEA WHERE OUR SAILORS
AND MARINES TRAIN TO BE GUARDIANS OF FREEDOM.
3.  EVERY DAY, BOTH ASHORE AND AT SEA, WE PUT OUR ENVIRONMENTAL
COMMITMENT INTO PRACTICE. OVER 3,400 ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS
LEAD THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS EFFORTS TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF
CONSERVING NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES, PREVENTING POLLUTION,
SAVING ENERGY AND USING EQUIPMENT THAT IS CLEANER TO MANUFACTURE,
OPERATE AND DISPOSE.
4.  WE CONTINUE TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF ALTERNATIVE FUEL USE AND
RESEARCH, REDUCING VEHICLE PETROLEUM CONSUMPTION BY NEARLY 20
PERCENT SINCE 1999 AND SHIPBOARD FUEL COSTS BY OVER SEVEN
PERCENT LAST YEAR ALONE.   FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS, THE DEPARTMENT
OF THE NAVY HAS GREATLY EXCEEDED FEDERAL GOALS IN THE PURCHASE OF
ALTERNATIVE FUELED VEHICLES, AND HAS ACHIEVED 193 PERCENT OF THE
GOAL THIS YEAR.
5.  PROTECTING THE WORLD'S OCEANS AND SEAS IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT
FOCUS OF THE NAVY'S ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.  THIS YEAR WE
WILL CONTINUE TO INVEST MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN MARINE MAMMAL
RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION, AND OUR FORCES WILL CONTINUE TO USE
COMPREHENSIVE PROTECTIVE MEASURES TO SAFEGUARD MARINE LIFE IN THE
AREAS WHERE WE OPERATE.
6.  WE ALSO DEMONSTRATE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP BY PIONEERING
INNOVATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES AND PRACTICES, SUCH AS
INCORPORATING ENHANCED POLLUTION PREVENTION SYSTEMS ON ALL NEW SHIP
CLASSES AND INVESTING IN SOLAR, HYDROGEN AND HYBRID SYSTEMS.
7.  ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND DEFENSE READINESS GO HAND-IN-HAND
FOR THE NEARLY 900,000 MEN AND WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY AND
MARINE CORPS.  OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO OUR MISSION SUSTAINS OUR
ENVIRONMENT AND NATIONAL SECURITY ON EARTH DAY AND EVERY DAY.
8.  RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY THE HONORABLE DONALD C. WINTER, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.//

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