September 02, 2014
As the father of two young sons, I’m very aware of the challenges our boys will face in the world they will inherit – rising sea levels, weather disruptions, and increasing CO2emissions from evolving nations.
That’s why it’s especially important to me that I not only take action during my own life, but instill the same sense of responsibility in our sons. We’re fortunate to have easy access to many parks in the region. And while I treasure those times spent with my family enjoying nature, I also ensure that I teach our boys how to care for the environment. One of the best ways I’ve found to do that is by participating in the annual International Coastal Cleanups. It’s an eye-opening experience for all of us to witness the amount of waste that litters our beautiful streams, rivers, ponds, creeks, and other waterways.
Last year, hundreds of Booz Allen employees across the country participated in the ICC—joining with thousands of volunteers from around the globe—to pick up a startling 12 million+ pounds of trash! I can’t even imagine what 12 million pounds of trash looks like. I’m proud of our employees for caring and for being committed to making a difference year after year. They have fun, take pictures, brag about their weirdest finds (porta-potty or a designer leather laptop bag, anyone?) One of our dedicated ICC coordinators in Norfolk, Bill Hall, has been working his local ICC cleanup location for many years. According to Bill, the Booz Allen team did not find a single water bottle or soda/beer can at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach during last year’s ICC, despite that being the most common item 4 years earlier. That’s a victory! And those results demonstrate the impact of both the cleanups that are going on and the ongoing efforts to educate our communities about the importance of clean waterways.
So this year, I challenge all of us to make a difference for our environment. Let’s commit to picking up some trash—whether you do it with an organized ICC event, or in our own community park, please do it. If you want to learn more about the impact, take a look at the International Coastal Cleanup 2014 Report—Turning the Tide on Trash or their infographics report—both tell a compelling story for our participation! Then, take a moment to “sign up to clean up” and check out the Ocean Conservancy’s website to find a cleanup event near you. What will your weirdest find be? Let us know by posting it here after your event!
