http://www.theblaze.com/stories/go-green-u-s-military-orders-less-dependence-on-fossil-fuels/
Go Green! U.S. Military Orders Less Dependence on Fossil Fuels
Last week, 150 Marines lugged new equipment in to Afghanistan that could change the face of war drastically. But the soldiers weren’t transporting state-of-the-art weaponry or body armor — instead, the Marines of Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines were carrying renewable energy tools: portable solar panels that fold up into boxes; energy-conserving lights; solar tent shields that provide shade and electricity; and solar chargers for computers and communications equipment.
The new equipment is part of the military’s aggressive push to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, according to the New York Times. Why the green push? Because guarding fuel convoys is costing too many lives and resources, say some military officials.
“Fossil fuel is the No. 1 thing we import to Afghanistan,” said Ray Mabus, the Navy secretary and a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia, to the Times, “and guarding that fuel is keeping the troops from doing what they were sent there to do, to fight or engage local people.”
As the Times points out, large fuel convoys in Iraq and Afghanistan have become “sitting ducks” for insurgents. According to one Army study cited, for every 24 fuel convoys that set out, one soldier or civilian engaged in fuel transport was killed. In just the last three months, six Marines have been wounded guarding fuel runs in Afghanistan, the Times says. Just yesterday, more than a dozen oil tankers carrying fuel for NATO troops in Afghanistan were torched in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
“It used to be that the most dangerous job in the military was infantry,” Maj. Gen. Anthony Jackson said in San Diego’s North County Times this spring. “In Iraq, it was truck driver.”
According to that report, Marine bases are implementing solar panels and on-demand water heaters. Besides saving energy, those heaters may also boost morale: the effects on a soldier of always having hot water cannot be quantified, but can be seen.
But solar panels and water heaters are just the beginning. The NYT says that last year the Navy introduced its first hybrid vessel (it runs on electricity when cruising under 10 knots), and took its first delivery of fuel derived from algae this summer. Additionally, the Air Force will have all its planes certified to fly on biofuels by 2011 “and has already flown test flights using a 50-50 mix of plant-based biofuel and jet fuel.”
And according to the Times, when all the expenses are considered, “the cost calculation is also favorable.” That’s in line with a USA Today report this April, which said the “green” initiatives could save the military up to $1.6 billion, as well as benefit “national security and troop safety.”
“There are a lot of profound reasons for doing this,” Mabus told the Times, “but for us at the core it’s practical.”
I think this is wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
People who read my blog know that I have spoken out against Obama when I feel he is wrong. To be fair minded one must also speak out when they think someone is doing a good thing. Since Obama is President at the helm when this move toward going green is happening, I will give him credit. I am not a Democrat but if I was, I would be not BASHING and BLAMING REPUBLICANS but talking about the good that has been done. Going Green is a good thing. That is a positive thing. Americans are sick and tired of DEMOCRATS BLAMING BUSH!!
I was watching a little of Ed’s show on MSNBC last night before I had to turn the channel. My mom came into the room and she refuses to watch MSNBC because she thinks it is the communist channel. I try to listen to all different kinds of voices with an open mind. One of the problems I have with SOME (notice I said some) is that they come accross as HATING ALL REPUBLICANS, CATHOLIC/CHRISTIANS, AND PRO LIFE PEOPLE. I wonder sometimes if they see the hate in their own hearts that they have toward others who think different then them?
HATE is HATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It doesn’t matter if the hate directed you is from a White Nationalist or a Progressive. The result is still the same. One is hated, mocked, bashed, laughed at, and make the brunt of jokes.
One side does or says something and then the other side does the same thing in return and on and on the circle goes of trying to hurt each other. Our nation is so divided that we can’t even work together as Americans for the common good of the nation or the people. I listen to talk radio and this morning they were talking about Goldwater vs Reagan as far as vision for the Republican party. I believe both the Democrats and Republicans need to take an honest look in the mirror to make changes.
Democrats you turn off Catholic/Christians by your pro abortion platform. Many of us Catholics live under Bishops who are very clear that abortion is a mortal sin and that we have a duty as Catholics to stay true to the faith and not vote for or join a political party that has a pro abortion platform. Some might tell me to ignore my Bishop, but the Bishop is over me and is looking out for my soul. I must respect and honor him even if I might disagree with him. As a Catholic who wants to follow the teachings of the Catholic church I must listen to my Bishop over me.
Republicans because they have a pro life platform draw many Catholics to vote for them and join them. If they were to have a pro abortion platform they too would loose Catholic voters as then the Republicans would be just as evil as the Democrats who we as Catholics are told we can’t support and still be members of the church in good standing.
So just because Obama and the Democrats do this good thing, doesn’t mean that I can vote, join or support them. It does mean that the things that are good, I will praise them for that action.
As my readers know I am a member of the Green Party and was glad to help Green Candidates this election. Even though we are different on other issues like abortion we come together on the environment and going Green. We both know that the environment is one of the biggest issues facing our generation and joined forces. Yet, because of abortion being on the Green Platform( like the Democrats) I will have to leave the Green Party after the election. If it is a sin to vote and support Democrats because of their pro abortion platform then it would also be a sin to vote and support Greens who also have a pro abortion platform. I feel sometimes that the only political party that my Bishop would allow me to join and vote for and still be a Catholic in good standing is the Republicans. Is there political parties in this country that do not have a pro abortion platform? Maybe there is one party that leaves abortion off the table?
So once again, I am in the position of telling people I can’t be a part of their group and still be a Catholic in good standing. I don’t want to sin. My Catholic faith is very important to me.
Another good thing that Obama is doing is bring solar to the White House. That is good!!! So he has me praising him for two things this morning. I do think he is more Green minded then Bush.
Does anyone else see the irony in the Taliban saying “NATO forces killed our innocent sisters and brothers in Afghanistan” and then killing innocent Pakistani truck drivers to get back at them? I really can’t understand these people and how they rationalize the random killing they do. How can selling Opium be something God would approve of? How can cutting off the nose and ears of a young girl be something God would approve of? I just don’t get it?
Music,
Thank you for your comment. I hope you have a nice day today.
I see the irony and the double standard. No, God wouldn’t approve of selling Opium or their treatment of women and girls. You have to understand that like some religious people all around the world they twist everything to fit their beliefs. Why would Muslims be any different?
It isn’t right when CI/White Nationalists twist the Bible to fit into their beliefs and it isn’t right when the Taliban twist thier beliefs to fit their narrow view point as well. They both view women as slaves to men. They both have control over every part of the woman’s life. I know I was under the total mercy of Jeff and these women are under the total mercy of their man as well.
The thing that people forget is that they include all Christians or all Muslims into the few who have gone off the deep end and have taken their religion even further then God would want. I get mad at White Nationalists and Progressives for their mocking and bashing faith in God.
Instead of making comments like Christians or Muslims do these things and laugh at them, name the group like CI or the taliban who do these things. Don’t lump all believers into the same mold as the few nuts. I am not pointing fingers at anyone, because I believe we all are guilty of this in our own way. I know I am guilty too of being to general in my comments and generalizing. White Nationalists called me out on that a few years ago, and I think I am getting better. I don’t want to generalize people and things because other people have a hard time listening to you and taking what you say seriously because of the generalizing. The thing is that all of us generalize. White Nationalists generalize against Progressives, Jews, Catholics, and non Whites. Progressives generalize against Catholics/ Christians, Conservatives, moderates, and Republicans. Republicans generalize against Democrats, Progressives, Muslims, and White Nationalists.
What we need to do is take an honest look at what we are doing there and what our role is there. There is nothing wrong with stepping back and moving back forces for a time so as to better deploy them in a situation that is going to better help us win the war. Make no mistake this is a WAR. Appeasement NEVER works. Yet, at the same time to blindly move forward only to disaster is not going to WIN the WAR either. It is always better to look at the situation and make the changes needed as they are needed.
Not to long ago, I watch the movie Troy. Brad Pit is such a good actor. All the actors in that movie were great. In the movie the older prince of Troy tries to tell his father that the Greeks are leaving and that they don’t need to attack again. The father made the mistake of not listening to his son and you know the rest of the story. Sometimes it is better not to attack and sometimes by attacking can lead to loosing the WAR.
I am not a general and I choose to let the Generals run the war.