A Military Shade of Green
It used to be that military green meant the color of a soldier’s fatigues. But these days, military green is more about embracing green energy and green technologies than the color of a uniform.
During 2008, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corp introduced a number of green initiatives to reduce its overall energy consumption.
Today, the Defense Department gets almost 10 percent of its power from alternative sources, and with the help of the economic stimulus package, is hoping to increase it’s use of wind, solar, thermal and nuclear energy.
Many of the latest military green actions are taking place at Fort Irwin in California”˜s Mohave Desert. Plug-in cars, solar panels and even a wind turbine are just a few of the fixtures at this military base which is taking its role as testing ground and showcase for green initiatives seriously.
Soldiers are sleeping in tents covered in two to three inches of insulating foam and a solar-reflective coating, resulting in nearly 50% reduction in generator needs. Desert training areas are being powered by wind, solar, and organic waste-to-fuel technologies. Plug-in vehicles provide transportation and the computers are generated by solar power.
Having the military going green is not only good for the environment. Turns out it’s also good for the budget. Officials are estimating that green initiatives are saving the the military (and therefore the taxpayers) millions of dollars.
But, considered from a different point of view, the military is also responsible for an enormous amount of intentional environmental destruction – not to mention the great loss of human lives in sometimes questionable conflicts. What do you think?
Image: gopal1035
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2 Comments
May 6th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
If things such as cancer would be the price to pay in order to save the environment, then this is quite alarming. It’s choosing between life of humans and life of the planet! Then throw in the economic crisis in the mix… It’s a very difficult choice to make.
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May 10th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
While the military is doing its part to reduce the nation’s dependents on energy from fossil fuel. Veterans are also taking a leadership role in making America a greener place. We who have served in the armed forces have our own opinions of what it means to be green. Personally, I feel it is our duty as a country to reduce our use of fossil fuel for two very important reasons. 1. So we don’t have to go to war and risk the lives of our soldiers, sailors and airmen for what is a unsustainable resourse . 2. So we can survive as a nation when it eventually runs out.
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