EarthTalk:

What is the U.S. military doing to reduce its carbon footprint and generally green its operations?

11/15/2010 - Dear EarthTalk: What is the U.S. military doing to reduce its carbon footprint and generally green its operations?

_ Anthony Gomez, New York, N.Y.

A: As the world's largest polluter, the U.S. military has its work cut out for it when it comes to greening its operations. According to the nonprofit watchdog group, Project Censored, American forces generate some 750,000 tons of toxic waste annually _ more than the five largest U.S. chemical companies combined. Although this pollution occurs globally on U.S. bases in dozens of countries, there are tens of thousands of toxic "hot spots" on some 8,500 military properties right here on America soil.

"Not only is the military emitting toxic material directly into the air and water," reports Project Censored, "it's poisoning the land of nearby communities, resulting in increased rates of cancer, kidney disease, increasing birth defects, low birth weight and miscarriage." The non-profit Military Toxics Project is working with the U.S. government to identify problem sites and educate neighbors about the risks. {read rest}