Even the U.S. Army is going green
Tuesday, August 12th, 2008Armored vehicles, high occupancy bases, and temporary buildings: these are the facts of life for the U.S. Army, and they are not inherently earth friendly. Some are questioning just how much the Army contributes to global warming, and those in charge are listening.
The U.S. Army is trying to reduce its carbon “bootprint”, not only to do their part for the environment but also to reduce skyrocketing energy costs for the troops. Both operational bases at home and abroad are taking steps to increase efficiency and reduce usage. According to a recent article on Environmental News Network (ENN), the Army would like to cut carbon emissions by 30% by 2015. Said Tad Davis, deputy assistant secretary for environment, “What I’m interested in doing is finding out what the greenhouse gas emissions, this carbon bootprint, are for the Army in two to three years at the latest. We want to emit less that do that, hand in hand with reducing energy consumption from fossil fuels.”
One tactic will go into place at training centers and bases in the United States. Fort Bragg, for example, is often home to complicated training exercises complete with mock town and realistic structures. These mockups can cost up to $400,000 to make out of new materials, just to be destroyed and rebuilt again. Now, says Davis, the Army is using recycled shipping containers for training exercises at just $25,000 each.
Another problem is fuel consumption, especially in combat zones like Iraq and Afghanistan. Convoys are deployed to bring fuel from refineries, and they are not only inefficient, but vulnerable to attack by roadside bombs. Using renewable energy sources nearer to bases, like wind generators or solar fields, could reduce the risk, expense, and carbon emissions of transporting it.
According to ENN, “A recent survey of U.S. forward bases in Djibouti, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan showed that 85 percent or more of the power was used for air conditioning to provide comfort for sleeping but also to keep communications equipment cool.” One way in which the Army has impacted this problem is using foam insulation on tents and buildings to improve their efficiency. Units can directly spray the foam onto tents for a 45% reduction in lost energy.
Clearly these small steps can have a big impact on the emissions created by Army operations. Other, more drastic changes could also be in store. Fuel-efficient vehicles, including tanks and large transport trucks, could be made in hybrid or biofuel versions. Stateside bases could provide their own power supplies with solar, wind, and hydro turbines. As the individual soldiers in the Army become more aware of their impact on the Earth, the U.S. Army as a whole will be a lot greener.
By Haley January Eckels
August 20th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Clearly these small steps can have a big impact on the emissions created by Army operations. Other, more drastic changes could also be in store. Fuel-efficient vehicles, including tanks and large transport trucks, could be made in hybrid or biofuel versions. Stateside bases could provide their own power supplies with solar, wind, and hydro turbines. As the individual soldiers in the Army become more aware of their impact on the Earth, the U.S. Army as a whole will be a lot greener.
September 20th, 2008 at 11:07 am
One tactic will go into place at training centers and bases in the United States. Fort Bragg, for example, is often home to complicated training exercises complete with mock town and realistic structures. These mockups can cost up to $400,000 to make out of new materials, just to be destroyed and rebuilt again. Now, says Davis, the Army is using recycled shipping containers for training exercises at just $25,000 each.