Earth Day: Commitment to sustainability Published April 25, 2014 By Senior Airman Alexxis Pons Abascal 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The United States Air Force prides itself on sustainability, referring to its ability to enable and continue missions without diminishment to its operations or the natural and man-made systems that support them. Exercising resource stewardship empowers Airmen to understand the overall spectrum of protected resources, the range of responsibilities in managing these resources, their individual role in resource stewardship, the planning process and how to work with partners outside their agencies to promote this competency. This year, Air Force installations across the globe observed Earth Day on April 22 and supported the theme "Conserve Today - Secure Tomorrow." While sustainability can encompass anything from water to the protection of human health, the Air Force as a whole focuses on four pillars: compliance, conservation, restoration and pollution prevention. In 2013 the Air Force adopted the Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan, in which the Department of Defense outlined four key priority areas echoing these focal points: energy and reliance on energy, water resource management, maintaining readiness in the face of climate change and chemicals of environmental concern. The 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron takes environmental impact concerns into account throughout various planning phases. After a request to construct or landscape a facility is submitted, 27 SOCES members not only consider mission requirement, but surrounding natural resources as well. According to a 27 SOCES project manager, sustainable designs and construction projects save the Earth's resources, offer better quality of life for those who inhabit these structures and provide energy efficient facilities that will save the government money in the future. Air Commandos and their families are encouraged to perform an act of "green" at home or work to better conserve and manage natural resources and assist the Air Force with its sustainability efforts. Members can visit the "Blue Acts of Green" Facebook page to see highlights of the impact of individual efforts across the Air Force. For more information, resources and environmentally friendly tips, visit the Air Force Civil Engineer Center website.