As Energy Awareness Month draws to a close we are honored to be part of an organization that can pick up and “Make Things Happen.” Team Hill is proving that energy awareness and conservation is not just a fad, it is becoming a way of life, and for good reason.
If we were to retrace our steps back over time, we could see how both natural and human activities change Earth’s climate. Since the industrial era began, humans have had an increasing effect on climate, particularly by adding billions of tons of heat-trapping greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. The theory is, most of the observed warming since the mid-20th century is due to human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.
When sunlight reaches Earth’s surface, it can either be reflected back into space or absorbed by Earth. Once absorbed, the planet releases some of the energy back into the atmosphere as heat. Greenhouse gases like water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane absorb energy, slowing or preventing the loss of heat to space. The greenhouse gases act as a blanket, making Earth warmer than it would otherwise be. This process is called the “greenhouse effect.”
As climate change warms the atmosphere and alters the hydrological cycle, we will continue to witness changes to the amount, timing, form, and intensity of precipitation. We see the effects of greenhouse gas as it affects snow and rainfall patterns, quality of aquatic and marine environments, increased disease, bugs, and negatively impacting farming production food supplies. Scientists believe that many of these observed changes can be linked to the climbing levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in our atmosphere caused by human activities.
The federal government is one of the largest energy consumers in the U.S. economy. In order to reduce their energy consumption, in 2005 the administration directed all federal agencies to cut their energy intensity by 3 percent per year.
As one of the largest consumer of energy within the DOD, the Air Force has set energy goals that will create a win-win by meeting their energy, economic, and security goals. One of the easiest and most cost effective ways to save the environment and money is through energy efficiency. Through energy awareness efforts we have learned that we all can be part of the solution by making wise energy choices. We have the means to shape our energy future and move our nation toward energy independence combining energy savings throughout the federal government, private industry, and the public.
Hill AFB is actively participating in Rocky Mountain Powers “Watt Smart” Business Program. To date, Hill has received rebate incentives that have been reinvested into other energy saving projects. David Abbott, Utility Manger, likes to call it the “Snowball Effect.”
Energy Awareness Month promotes, educates, and highlights energy reduction projects and behaviors. These efforts support our economy, protect the environment and increase our energy independence in alignment with the Air Force Energy and Economic Goals. Let us all be engaged to make our world cleaner, healthier and safer for ourselves and the generations to come. Way to go “Team Hill.”
Think Energy Act Efficiently!
