FORT RUCKER, Ala. (April 30, 2015) -- While rainy weather gripped the Wiregrass for the better part of the month, Mother Nature cleared the heavens to give Fort Rucker a perfectly sunny day to celebrate Earth Day.
Fort Rucker hosted its 2015 Earth Day Expo at the festival fields April 22, where vendors showcased different ways people can "go green" to help out the environment and be good environmental stewards, said Darrel Hager, environmental protection specialist for the Environmental Management Branch.
"This year's turnout was comparable to last year's and the weather was great," he said. "The visitors to the event seemed to really enjoy it and many said that they learned something."
Visitors were able to learn about how waste affects the environment and how to become more sustainable, and also see what options exist to help them become more environmentally friendly.
From driving all-electric and hybrid vehicles, or something as simple as choosing to recycle, people from all walks of life were able to find ways to reduce their carbon footprint.
The expo was also home to the E-cycling event, where people were able to bring their old electronics to be recycled. For those who missed out on the event, there is still an option for people to recycle year round at the recycling center in Bldg. 9322, located on Third Avenue.
People can bring computer towers, keyboards, computer mice, printers, scanners, laptops, wires, microwaves, coffee pots, power cords, battery backups, lead batteries, satellite receivers, cell phones and telephones. No government hand-receipt items are accepted.
These materials are important to recycle because much of the equipment contains elements and chemicals that can be harmful to the environment if disposed of improperly, said Hager.
"I think this is a great thing that Fort Rucker is doing," said Jason Chastine, civilian. "People don't think about the waste they're putting into the environment, so it's good to highlight the things that people can do to help."
One of the highlights of the expo that had many intrigued was a solar oven that used only the heat from the sun to cook foods like cookies, brownies, bread, casseroles and even a 12-pound turkey -- all by using the greenhouse effect.
"I just thought that was the coolest thing," said Chastine. "I know of solar energy and solar panels and things like that, but cooking using the sun isn't something you see every day."
Although the solar oven might take an entire day to cook a full meal, the concept is more about increasing awareness about what's available for people to use rather than traditional sources of energy, said Hager.
"Our hope is to bring awareness of environmental issues, and to showcase what products and services are available to people," he said. "I think that the visitors gained a more complete understanding of the changes that need to be made. Many of the displays and demonstrations highlighted what is needed and some things that can be done. People need to understand that the way we currently live can't sustain us for the long run."
In addition to the Earth Day Expo, observances were held at the Center Library, where people had the chance to learn about the all-electric Tesla automobile and the hybrid-electric Cadillac ETS, and see how battery powered vehicles are a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Installation leadership, including Col. Stuart J. McRae, Fort Rucker garrison commander, even had the chance to get behind the wheel and take the cars for a spin.
The point of all of this is to show people that there are alternative ways to live while being good stewards of the environment, said Hager. The Earth is home to a finite number of resources and one day the demand will outweigh the supply, so switching to renewable sources of energy is a must.
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