When one thinks of institutions on the cutting edge of the environmental movement, the US Military isn’t usually the first to come to mind.  But all that might be about to change with the United State Army having released its first ever sustainability report.

The study, which was recently reported on in The New York Times’ Green Inc. blog, shows an organization with a ways to go in lessening its carbon footprint, or “bootprint” as they call it in military parlance.  For instance at present only 16 out of 155 Army installations have comprehensive sustainability plans in place.  However a more formidable 78 out of 301 new Army building constructions met with LEED standards.  Considering the vast sums of money spent on the United States military and the fact that it will soon be serving under the leadership of the new Commander-in-Chief Barack Obama, the Armed Services seem like a perfect place to implement institution wide environmental policies that will make a serious impact both in the United States and around the world.  The sustainability report is an important first step in realizing such goals.

You can takepart in learning about LEED standards for your own home by checking out the Green Home Guide.

LINKS:

NY Times: Green Inc.: Army Green Not Just a Color Anymore

US Army Sustainability

US Army: Fort Bragg Receives First Secretary of the Army Sustainability Award