EarthxMilitary Engages Defense Leaders, Policy Makers and Veterans For Environmental Action at Earthx2019

Military and national defense leaders presented environmental solutions for security and sustainability at the EarthxMilitary conference, held during Earthx2019 at Fair Park, Dallas. EarthX brought together more than 177,000 participants from business, government, academia and non-profits, citizens and students, with the hopes of creating a more sustainable world for future generations.

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Brigadier General Paul E. Owen, Commander and Division Engineer, Southwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, discussed disaster response and recovery at EarthxMilitary. (Photo: Business Wire)

Brigadier General Paul E. Owen, Commander and Division Engineer, Southwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, discussed disaster response and recovery at EarthxMilitary. (Photo: Business Wire)

EarthxMilitary opened with remarks from Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX 33rd District), on advancing America’s leadership on clean energy and energy security. The Honorable Deborah Lee James, 23rd Secretary of the Air Force, provided remarks on Energy and Environment: A National Security Imperative.

“Many of the international and national defense issues we’re facing today, and that we will face in the future, have their roots in environmental crises,” said Secretary James. “When people cannot thrive in their homelands because of climate change due to the devastating impacts of droughts, floods and famines, then we see the breakdown of political boundaries, an increase in armed conflicts, and refugees fleeing for survival.”

Dr. William J. Parker, III, of the EastWest Institute, addressed international threats and opportunities for cooperation on environmental issues, and Navy research that supports ocean life. Brigadier General Paul E. Owen, Commander and Division Engineer, Southwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, addressed disaster response and recovery, and engineering for community resilience. The Honorable Steven S. Honigman, former Chief Counsel for the U.S. Navy and founding member, Quieter Oceans, joined with Captain Robin Tyner, U.S. Navy (retired) to discuss Navy Energy, Climate, and Ocean Task Forces.

The EarthxVets luncheon honored veterans, with Brigadier General Robert Hastings, Texas Military Department and Executive Vice President, Bell Helicopter, providing remarks on the transition from military to civilian life, and how veterans’ leadership skills benefit both business and non-profits. VR Small, U.S. Navy veteran and Executive Director, Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center, discussed women’s entrepreneurship, and Jason Dibble, U.S. Air Force veteran and founder of EnvirogenX, shared about his company’s water filtration and bottling technologies, as well as their experience winning XPRIZE. Rudy Reyes, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and co-founder of Force Blue, explained his new mission with coral reef restoration, and the healing power of the ocean.

EarthxMilitary closed with a screening of the Emmy Award-winning documentary Sonic Sea, featuring Honigman and Dr. Parker, explaining the U.S. Navy’s work with reducing ocean noise. Earthx2019 included three days of exhibitions, a film festival, music, entertainment, learning experiences, discussions, forums, and conferences. Earthx2020 will be held April 24 – 26, 2020 in Dallas.

ABOUT EarthX

EarthX convenes the world’s largest environmental expo, conference and film festival. Founded in 2011 as Earth Day Dallas by environmentalist and businessman Trammell S. Crow, the Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization promotes environmental awareness and impact through conscious business, nonpartisan collaboration and community-driven sustainable solutions. In 2019, the event drew over 177,000 attendees, 2,000 environmental leaders, exhibitors and 400 speakers. Earthx2020 will be held April 24 – 26, 2020 in Dallas. Visit www.EarthX.org.

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