U.S. security agencies are starting to make it clear that their country’s dependence on foreign oil is a serious problem, and that America’s future is best secured by pursuing alternative energy strategies that will loosen the stranglehold oil has on the economy. Currently, the United States sends one billion dollars a day out of the country to pay for this oil addiction. Government organizations have taken a number of measures to address these security concerns. For example, the CIA has created a center on climate change, the U.S. Marines have committed to reducing their carbon pollution by 30 percent by 2025, the Navy is committed to reducing their carbon pollution by 50 percent by 2020. As well, many U.S. bases have implemented smart grid technology and renewable energy sources and the Pentagon building was weatherized and rehabbed to become LEED certified (consequently, their energy bill went down from 2.9 million to 2.2 million a month).
Last month, the Pentagon released the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). In the review, Pentagon officials conclude that climate change will act as an “accelerant of instability and conflict,” ultimately placing a burden on civilian institutions and militaries around the world. The report states that military services have already invested in non-carbon power sources, such as solar wind, geothermal, and biomass at domestic installations, as well as alternative vehicle fuels, including hybrid, electric, hydrogen and compressed national gas.
Operation Free is an coalition of U.S. veterans against using foreign oil. They have been traveling across the country, spreading the message that U. S. dependence on foreign oil is making America vulnerable and funding her enemies, and causing destabilizing climate change.
Operation Free has just produced a video. Here are some excerpts from the video, which can be viewed at the bottom of the page.
“Before I retired, I saw up close what our dependence on oil has cost our country. I think our country can do a lot better than we are currently doing. We’re wasting precious, precious resources that we should be investing in our own country.” Roger Koopman, Retired Air Force Officer, Raleigh, North Carolina
“We have slashed federal investments in renewable technologies by 86%, and we have doubled our imports of oil from the Middle East. I refuse, and you should refuse, to be part of the first generation Americans in history to say ‘it’s too hard’.” U.S. Congressman Steve Israel
“This is about our national security. This is about the future of our nation. So we cannot miss this opportunity to invest in alternative energies that are going to make our country stronger.” Iraq veteran and U.S. Congressman John Boccieri
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEvqRY_p4A8]
More links:
Center for Naval Analysis: National Security and Climate Change
“The Greening of the Pentagon’s Master Strategy Review”