Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Some recent academic accounts insist that, in practice, militaries have failed to
meet their own
commitments and remain amongst the worst polluters
worldwide.
39
Moreover, notwithstanding all the formal commitments, European
o
'
greening
'
cials recognise that the US military has, once again, been ahead in
setting the terms of this area of debate. The US military is the biggest user of
energy in the US, accounting for 1 per cent of the country
cers and o
'
s energy consumption,
and so has had a signi
cant incentive to reduce its own consumption. In 2010, the
US Navy launched the F-18 Green Hornet
ying on a biofuel blend.
The US is set to launch its Great Green Fleet initiative by 2016, comprising
a
ghter jet
ghting force of ships, submarines and planes powered entirely by biofuels.
Testing and evaluation of alternative fuels have been extensive, for example in
the 49-foot fast and agile RCB-X boat. The military is committed to procuring
25 per cent of its electricity from renewables by 2025. US Navy rear admiral
Philip Cullom argues that,
Going green is about combat capability and assuring the Navy
s mobility. It
is not just about natural security; it also strengthens national security. By
having reliable and abundant alternate sources of energy, we will no longer
be held hostage by any source of energy, such as petroleum
'
First and
foremost, energy conservation extends tactical range of our forces while also
preserving precious resources. Our goal, as a Navy, is to be an
…
'
of new technologies that enhance national security in an environmentally
sustainable way.
40
'
early adopter
Such advances are despite a warning from the RAND corporation that in practice,
'
41
The use of alternative fuels o
ers the armed services no direct military bene
t.
'
Shifting security alliances
While militaries have got used in recent years to dealing with climate-induced
disasters, it is not clear that they have extracted any lessons from these that are
qualitatively di
erent from other types of disaster. Militaries admit they are not
using climate-related interventions as a base from which to build partnerships with
other states and armies to advance cooperation on the broader geopolitics of cli-
mate security. For example, European defence o
cers still need engagement with
militaries in the many developing states where they
are the ones
responsible for exploitation of forests and other habitats. As the need for interven-
tions increases, European governments have done little to attain positive signals
towards burden-sharing from other states. Relatively limited military-to-military
links on climate issues have been established with other powers.
-
the military
-
