Green Options » military http://greenoptions.com/tag/military Posts tagged 'military' Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:35:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Soldier Killed by Hippo While Fishing Illegally in DR Congo Park http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/12/soldier-killed-by-hippo-while-fishing-illegally-in-dr-congo-park/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/12/soldier-killed-by-hippo-while-fishing-illegally-in-dr-congo-park/#comments Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:35:52 +0000 Rhishja Larson http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/12/soldier-killed-by-hippo-while-fishing-illegally-in-dr-congo-park/ Hippo image for article about Democratic Republic of Congo soldier killed while poaching in Virunga National Park

A Democratic Republic of Congo soldier was killed by a hippo while fishing illegally in Virunga National Park’s Lake Edward.

Despite the ban on fishing in Lake Edward, a member of Democratic Republic of Congo government forces, along with five others, were poaching fish from the lake when a hippo overturned their boat.

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]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/12/soldier-killed-by-hippo-while-fishing-illegally-in-dr-congo-park/feed/ Army Going Solar With 500 MW of Solar Power in Mojave Desert http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/01/army-going-solar-with-500-mw-of-solar-power-in-mojave-desert/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/01/army-going-solar-with-500-mw-of-solar-power-in-mojave-desert/#comments Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:27:01 +0000 Ariel Schwartz http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/01/army-going-solar-with-500-mw-of-solar-power-in-mojave-desert/

The Army knows that extensive alternative energy installations are the best way to ensure continuous, reliable electricity production. That’s why the military organization is building the Department of Defense’s largest ever solar project at the Fort Irwin Base in California’s Mojave Desert.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/01/army-going-solar-with-500-mw-of-solar-power-in-mojave-desert/feed/ Obama and Russians Strike Tentative Deal to Reduce Nuclear Weapons http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/07/06/obama-and-russians-strike-deal-to-reduce-nuclear-weapons/ http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/07/06/obama-and-russians-strike-deal-to-reduce-nuclear-weapons/#comments Tue, 07 Jul 2009 03:30:58 +0000 Jennifer Lance http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/07/06/obama-and-russians-strike-deal-to-reduce-nuclear-weapons/ Obama negotiates with Russians over nuclear arsenalThe Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) expires December 5, 2009. This treaty has reduced US and Russian nuclear arsenals by approximately 40% since the end of the Cold War.  This week, US President Obama and Russian President Medvedev are meeting in Moscow to negotiate a treaty to succeed START. Today, the two presidents announced a preliminary agreement “to reduce the world’s two largest nuclear stockpiles by as much as a third, down to the lowest levels of any U.S.-Russia accord”.  President Obama also hopes the summit will “reset U.S.-Russian relations so that we can cooperate more effectively in areas of common interest.”

President Obama seems to understand that if the US expects Iran and North Korea to give up their intentions to develop nuclear weapons, we can’t act as hypocrites hoarding our own nuclear arsenal.  Russia and the United States currently own “90 percent of the world’s nuclear weapons“.  In addition, Obama recognizes the need for Russian support on this front; however, Russia is opposed to the US plan to build a missile defense system in Eastern Europe. President Obama told reporters it is “entirely legitimate for our discussions to talk not only about offensive weapon systems, but also defensive weapon systems”. Obama has stated the missile defense system designed to block Iranian missiles, not Russian, and refuses to compromise.

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]]> http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/07/06/obama-and-russians-strike-deal-to-reduce-nuclear-weapons/feed/ Knitting for Victory http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/05/25/knitting-for-victory/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/05/25/knitting-for-victory/#comments Mon, 25 May 2009 17:30:55 +0000 Kelly Rand http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/05/25/knitting-for-victory/ In remembrance and in honor of all that are and have served in the U.S. military on this Memorial Day, it only seemed fitting to recall knitting efforts that have taken place during war times past.

During WWI and again in WWII, women and families picked up knitting needles to help in the war effort. The American Red Cross organized many volunteer groups that knit various items for soldiers serving overseas. Socks, sweaters, helmet liners, scarfs, caps and blankets were just a few of the items that were knit up and shipped to those serving.

During WWII, the knitting effort was further encouraged and women were told to “knit for defense” and “knit for victory.” Patterns and tutorials were readily made available to those who wanted to feel like they were contributing during this trying time, even First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was seen supporting the war effort in this way.

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/05/25/knitting-for-victory/feed/ Private Contractors Hoard Water From US Soldiers in Iraq http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/05/12/short-supplies-cause-us-soldiers-to-steal-water-from-private-contractors-in-iraq/ http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/05/12/short-supplies-cause-us-soldiers-to-steal-water-from-private-contractors-in-iraq/#comments Wed, 13 May 2009 00:57:30 +0000 Jennifer Lance http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/05/12/short-supplies-cause-us-soldiers-to-steal-water-from-private-contractors-in-iraq/ US soldiers lack drinking water in IraqWe’ve all heard stories of how US soldiers in Iraq have been forced to travel in Humvees lacking armor protection; however, the shortage in military supplies includes basic necessities.

Many soldiers stationed all over Iraq lack adequate supplies of drinking water. Commanders have been forced to steal water from the private contractors to meet the basic needs of their troops.

An Army training document on preventing heat casualties state that in hot desserts, a soldier can lose up to four gallons of water per day.  A 1957 field manual, states “in hot deserts, you need a minimum of one gallon (of water) per day” for survival.  Army Staff Sgt. Dustin Robey explains, “We were rationed two bottles of water a day…We were on missions, I ran out of water.” 

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]]> http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/05/12/short-supplies-cause-us-soldiers-to-steal-water-from-private-contractors-in-iraq/feed/ Cobra Gold Military Exercise Puts DARPA Portable Fuel Cells to the Test http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/28/cobra-gold-military-exercise-puts-darpa-robust-portable-power-to-the-test/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/28/cobra-gold-military-exercise-puts-darpa-robust-portable-power-to-the-test/#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:33:00 +0000 Tina Casey http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/28/cobra-gold-military-exercise-puts-darpa-robust-portable-power-to-the-test/ Cobra Gold Military Exercise Puts Portable Fuel Cells to the Test

The next generation of portable fuel cells is being, almost literally, battle-tested by the U.S. military, which put a portable fuel cell/battery system through its paces this past February during field maneuvers in the 28th annual Cobra Gold.  Cobra Gold is the U.S. military’s long-running multilateral exercise in Thailand.  The lightweight, portable fuel cell system was developed by DARPA’s Robust Portable Power Sources program, and its  tooth-to-tail implications apply to military and civilian sustainability, too.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/28/cobra-gold-military-exercise-puts-darpa-robust-portable-power-to-the-test/feed/ DARPA Passes Key Programmable Matter Milestone http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/22/darpa-passes-key-programmable-matter-milestone/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/22/darpa-passes-key-programmable-matter-milestone/#comments Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:47:28 +0000 Tina Casey http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/22/darpa-passes-key-programmable-matter-milestone/ DARPA is Researching Programmable MatterBeam me up, Scotty: programmable matter is one step closer to reality.  The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has just announced the successful completion of a key milestone in Phase I of its Programmable Matter research.  The goal is to develop particles that can assemble into solid objects on command - and that’s got big implications both for warfighters and the military’s carbon bootprint, too.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/22/darpa-passes-key-programmable-matter-milestone/feed/ U.S. Military Goes Big for Bioplastics http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/14/us-military-goes-big-for-bioplastics/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/14/us-military-goes-big-for-bioplastics/#comments Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:58:00 +0000 Tina Casey http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/14/us-military-goes-big-for-bioplastics/ Military considering bioplastic for food packaging.An army travels on its stomach, and the U.S. military is no exception. The impact is evident in the packaging, especially plastic packaging, left over from MRE’s, Unitized Group Rations, and other packaged food supplies. That’s about to change, big time. Food waste composting is on the horizon for U.S. military bases and even field operations, and close on its heels is a compostable bioplastic for military use.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/14/us-military-goes-big-for-bioplastics/feed/ Military Spending Goes Up, Carbon Bootprint Goes Down http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/10/military-spending-goes-up-carbon-bootprint-goes-down/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/10/military-spending-goes-up-carbon-bootprint-goes-down/#comments Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:29:46 +0000 Tina Casey http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/10/military-spending-goes-up-carbon-bootprint-goes-down/ U.S. Military Reduces Its Carbon BootprintYou wouldn’t know it by this week’s headlines, but the truth is that President Obama’s proposed military budget actually increases military spending by about 4%.  Much of the histrionics and hand-wringing about budget cuts concern specific unsustainable weapons programs like the F-22.  Well, as long as gearheads are running the newsrooms, gear will grab the headlines, but it’s military sustainability that’s the critical issue here.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/10/military-spending-goes-up-carbon-bootprint-goes-down/feed/ Unmanned Predator Drones to Run on Fuel Cells http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/04/05/unmanned-predator-drones-to-run-on-fuel-cells/ http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/04/05/unmanned-predator-drones-to-run-on-fuel-cells/#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2009 01:00:36 +0000 Amiel Blajchman http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/04/05/unmanned-predator-drones-to-run-on-fuel-cells/ Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), made famous by their use in Afghanistan may soon be flying using alternative energy fuel cells. Used mainly in situations too dangerous for soldiers or manned aircraft, UAVs have become an integral part of the military’s overseas missions. A pilot program run by the Naval Research Laboratory is developing a new type of UAV that would be able to travel farther and carry more by utilizing emerging fuel cell technology.

The Ion Tiger uses a hydrogen-powered fuel cell, which means it emits zero emissions, very little heat and noise (both military and environmental benefits). Using technology pioneered by the automotive industry, principal investigator Dr. Karen Swider-Lyons explains:

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]]> http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/04/05/unmanned-predator-drones-to-run-on-fuel-cells/feed/ Russia to Create Special Military Force to Protect the Arctic http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/03/27/russia-to-create-special-military-force-to-protect-the-arctic/ http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/03/27/russia-to-create-special-military-force-to-protect-the-arctic/#comments Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:50:31 +0000 Amiel Blajchman http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/03/27/russia-to-create-special-military-force-to-protect-the-arctic/ Russia’s Security Council released its Arctic strategy for the year 2020 this week. The strategy includes the authorization of a special military force to “guarantee Russia’s military security in diverse military and political circumstances”, like the country’s controversial claims to large portions of the Arctic shelf. With the possible opening of the NorthWest Passage and the subsequent opening of natural resource deposits, Russia has also been steadily pushing its claims to the Arctic.

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]]> http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/03/27/russia-to-create-special-military-force-to-protect-the-arctic/feed/ The Laws of War, the Geneva Convention and Protecting the Environment http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/03/20/the-laws-of-war-the-geneva-convention-and-protecting-the-environment/ http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/03/20/the-laws-of-war-the-geneva-convention-and-protecting-the-environment/#comments Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:50:24 +0000 Amiel Blajchman http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/03/20/the-laws-of-war-the-geneva-convention-and-protecting-the-environment/

While many of our readers are well aware of global environmental laws that are specifically written to protect the environment, such as the Kyoto Protocol, the International Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Law of the Sea and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), this post would like to explore what some of the laws of war and humanitarianism (the Geneva Convention being the most famous) hold for protecting the environment.

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]]> http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/03/20/the-laws-of-war-the-geneva-convention-and-protecting-the-environment/feed/ Military’s Green Ammunition: Eco-Friendly War? http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/17/militarys-green-ammunition-eco-friendly-war/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/17/militarys-green-ammunition-eco-friendly-war/#comments Wed, 18 Feb 2009 05:35:59 +0000 Derek Markham http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/17/militarys-green-ammunition-eco-friendly-war/ Military Ammunition The announcement of a new ‘Green Ammunition‘ for the military brings up an interesting question. Can war be eco-friendly? I find it interesting (twisted, actually) that something that is designed to kill can be called green.

Now, before you castigate me for being a peacenik hippie who’s missing the point (yes, I am a peacenik), let’s look at the issue.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/17/militarys-green-ammunition-eco-friendly-war/feed/ The Military’s New Green Ammunition http://ecoscraps.com/2009/02/17/the-militarys-new-green-ammunition/ http://ecoscraps.com/2009/02/17/the-militarys-new-green-ammunition/#comments Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:47:44 +0000 Allison Boyer http://ecoscraps.com/2009/02/17/the-militarys-new-green-ammunition/

American Rheinmetall Munitions announced this week that their Mk281 “green ammunition” will start to be introduced at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin in California.

From the press release:

Mk281 does not contain toxic chemicals or energetic materials, which aligns it with the Department of Defense (DoD) and Environmental Protection Agency’s joint mission to solve Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) issues. The Army’s current 40 mm training cartridge, M918, is a 1970’s pyrotechnic design that contains heavy metals in the fuze and potassium perchlorate in the flash/bang payload. It is due to phase out in favor of newer munitions when the U.S. industrial base is ready.

No matter what your stance on war, this is a smart idea, since soldiers go through up to 10 million rounds a year in training. The clean-up costs alone are over $500 million.

]]> http://ecoscraps.com/2009/02/17/the-militarys-new-green-ammunition/feed/ MIT Undergrads Develop Energy-Generating Shock Absorbers http://gas2.org/2009/02/14/mit-undergrads-develop-energy-generating-shock-absorbers/ http://gas2.org/2009/02/14/mit-undergrads-develop-energy-generating-shock-absorbers/#comments Sat, 14 Feb 2009 13:00:11 +0000 Nick Chambers http://gas2.org/2009/02/14/mit-undergrads-develop-energy-generating-shock-absorbers/

MIT undergraduates have created a regenerative shock absorber that can increase vehicle fuel efficiency by 10 percent. Not only does this conserve energy that would otherwise be wasted as heat, it also reportedly results in a smoother ride than conventional shocks.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/02/14/mit-undergrads-develop-energy-generating-shock-absorbers/feed/ Air Force Drops Plans For Liquid Coal Plant http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/02/03/air-force-drops-plans-for-liquid-coal-plant/ http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/02/03/air-force-drops-plans-for-liquid-coal-plant/#comments Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:58:32 +0000 Jerry James Stone http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/02/03/air-force-drops-plans-for-liquid-coal-plant/ coal in hand

The Air Force has abandoned its plans for building a coal-to-liquid plant to produce aircraft fuel. While the plan would have reduced foreign dependence, all those emissions would have kinda sucked.

In an effort to certify that all aircraft can use a 50-50 blend by 2011, the Air Force is currently purchasing fuel made by coal from Sasol of South Africa. Gary Strasburg, an Air Force spokesman, said that the B1, B52 and C-17 have all been certified to run on a coal-mix blend. The F-15, F-22, C-5 and KC-135 have all used the blend too.

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]]> http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/02/03/air-force-drops-plans-for-liquid-coal-plant/feed/ SAIC Gets Military Contract to Produce Jet Fuel from Algae http://cleantechnica.com/2009/01/27/saic-gets-military-contract-to-produce-jet-fuel-from-algae/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/01/27/saic-gets-military-contract-to-produce-jet-fuel-from-algae/#comments Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:15:31 +0000 Dave Tyler http://cleantechnica.com/2009/01/27/saic-gets-military-contract-to-produce-jet-fuel-from-algae/ An algae bloom in the ocean off Sweden. Scientists are looking to use algae as a way to create an alternative to jet fuel

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has given San Diego-based Science Applications International Corporation a contract to develop an algae-based alternative to petroleum-based jet fuel.

The contract could be worth as much as $25 million if all targets are reached. SAIC says there will be two phases to the project. The first will involve refining the technology and developing lab-scale production capabilities. The second phase will involve the construction of what SAIC calls a “pre-pilot scale” production facility.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/01/27/saic-gets-military-contract-to-produce-jet-fuel-from-algae/feed/ The US Army: Who Knew that it Actually Tried to be Sustainable and Protect the Environment? http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/01/21/the-us-army-who-knew-that-it-actually-tried-to-be-sustainable-and-protect-the-environment/ http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/01/21/the-us-army-who-knew-that-it-actually-tried-to-be-sustainable-and-protect-the-environment/#comments Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:01:30 +0000 Amiel Blajchman http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/01/21/the-us-army-who-knew-that-it-actually-tried-to-be-sustainable-and-protect-the-environment/ What sort of efforts does the US Army undertake to protect and manage its impacts on the environment? Perhaps surprisingly to some, the legislative muscle behind existing Army programs (and the push to expand those programs) to protect the environment is actually quite robust.

Environmental Management

To begin with, the Army Strategy for the Environment, was developed to serve as a policy guidance document leading the Army to “establish a long-range vision that enables the Army to meet its mission today and into the future.” Their motto? “Sustain the Mission - Secure the Future.” Some may find it trite, but without a vision and goals, it’s hard to get anywhere.

There is also the Army Environmental Policy Institute, which ”assists the Army Secretariat in developing policies and strategies to improve or resolve environmental policy issues that may have significant short or long-term impacts on the Army.” It works towards the Army’s triple bottom line of Mission, Environment, and Community.

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]]> http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/01/21/the-us-army-who-knew-that-it-actually-tried-to-be-sustainable-and-protect-the-environment/feed/ Why is Brazil Doubling its Military Protection in the Amazon Rainforest? http://ecoworldly.com/2009/01/06/why-is-brazil-doubling-its-military-protection-in-the-amazon-rainforest/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/01/06/why-is-brazil-doubling-its-military-protection-in-the-amazon-rainforest/#comments Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:11:28 +0000 Levi Novey http://ecoworldly.com/2009/01/06/why-is-brazil-doubling-its-military-protection-in-the-amazon-rainforest/ Brazil owns the single largest area of the Amazon RainforestBrazil’s government has announced plans to increase their soldiers in the Amazon Rainforest from 17,000 to 30,000 over the next 9 years, as well as build new forts and improve others. Why have they chosen to invest $488.6 million in this plan?

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]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/01/06/why-is-brazil-doubling-its-military-protection-in-the-amazon-rainforest/feed/ Anti-Mining Activist Brutally Assassinated by Philippine Militia http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/24/anti-mining-activist-brutally-assassinated-by-phillippine-militia/ http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/24/anti-mining-activist-brutally-assassinated-by-phillippine-militia/#comments Wed, 24 Dec 2008 11:03:04 +0000 Jerry James Stone http://planetsave.com/blog/2008/12/24/anti-mining-activist-brutally-assassinated-by-phillippine-militia/

According to the environmental group Panalipdan-Southern Mindanao Region (SMR), one of their leaders — Fernando “Dodong” Sarmiento — has been brutally murdered.

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