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R 211941Z APR 23 MID200080921440U 
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SUBJ/DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 2023 EARTH DAY// 
 
RMKS/1.  We are living in a time of unprecedented environmental threats, with 
multiple crises relating to climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution 
impacting the health and sustainability of the environment, and posing 
challenges to our readiness.  Tackling these threats will take a whole of 
government, and whole of society approach built upon partnership.  The 
Department of the Navy (DON) is committed to being an integral partner in 
these efforts, while advancing our national security priorities. 
In the spirit of the 2023 Earth Day theme, "Invest in Our Planet, Protect our 
Future," I want to recognize the progress and achievements that we've made 
over the past year to help tackle these environmental threats.  In 
particular, I want to highlight efforts to execute Climate Action 2030; 
invest in environmental stewardship, resilience, and sustainability; and 
protect and enhance mission capabilities for the future. 
Last year, the DON released Climate Action 2030, our approach to ensure our 
force is more capable and resilient in the face of climate change.  This 
strategy, and the commitment it represents, demonstrates very clearly that 
addressing climate security is fully aligned to our core mission of being the 
most dominant maritime force.  Over the past year, we've developed and are 
executing projects to improve our energy efficiency, reduce and/or sequester 
carbon emissions, and improve the environmental resiliency of our 
installations and ranges.  We are focused on installation and operational 
energy investments to make us better warfighters by extending our range, 
reducing our refueling requirements, and increasing the energy security of 
our installations, all while benefiting the environment.  We are also working 
with partners, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through its 
Engineering with Nature program, to design and execute projects incorporating 
nature-based solutions to address sea level rise, flooding, erosion, and 
other climate change related impacts to our readiness. 
Achieving a sustainable future requires thoughtful stewardship of resources 
and the environment.  In line with Executive Order 14057, the Assistant 
Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment (ASN EI&E) 
was designated as the Department's Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO).  ASN 
EI&E has issued two CSO memorandums to highlight key sustainability 
priorities for the Department to focus on:  infrastructure and water 
resilience.  On Earth Day, we are issuing CSO serial three, focused on 
nature-based resilience, which calls on the Department to work across 
business lines (e.g., public works, environmental, asset management) to 
optimize and integrate natural assets into our strategic planning 
initiatives.  Future CSO memos are planned to focus on energy resilience and 
environmental acquisition. 
The DON ensures the values of Earth Day are upheld every day through 
continued dedication to the stewardship of the environment.  Clean air, 
water, and land are essential to the safety and health of our military and 
civilian personnel, families, and neighboring communities.  The DON has a 
duty to conserve and protect natural and cultural resources on our 
installations and ranges, both as a public trust responsibility, and because 
well-managed resources ensure safety, continued access to, and long-term 
sustainability of our ranges and installations.  Conducting training, 
testing, construction, and other base operating activities in a manner that 
minimizes impacts to natural and cultural resources both safeguards important 
species and habitats, and makes the DON a more trusted community partner, 
enhancing the resiliency of our lands and assets for the future. 
The recent recovery and delisting from the Endangered Species Act of five 
species (one bird and four plants) on San Clemente Island after decades of 
stewardship investments and collaborative conservation efforts between the 
Navy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a testament to the environment 
as a strategic asset that enables warfighter readiness.  This action will 
improve training opportunities and enhance flexibility for military readiness 
activities. 
As outlined in the DON's Earth Day Planning Guide issued last month, Earth 
Day activities offer a valuable opportunity for commands to come together on- 
and off-base, to advance and showcase efforts to preserve the environment 
while achieving the DON mission. 
To emphasize the importance, Department leadership will be participating in 
events throughout the country over the next week from Earth Day to Arbor Day 
to highlight our environmental stewardship.  I encourage each of you to 
participate in efforts on DON installations, at sea, and in your communities 
to make investments in our planet.  Just as the DON's efforts to protect and 
preserve our operating environment are not limited to a single day, I 
encourage our Sailors, Marines, civilians, and their families to incorporate 
efforts into your daily lives to protect our future. 
As always, I am proud to see the tremendous effort put forth by all members 
of the DON as you demonstrate our strong commitment to protecting our planet. 
 
2.  Released by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy.// 
 
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