Did you know...

Nations states, States, corporations, businesses and government agencies are forging ahead on climate change initiatives, despite the collapse of elite nation powerbrokers like China and the US to agree on protocols. Some in Australia argue that to go ahead would be folly and would put us in an economic predicament.

Be honest, the way things are looking that day of consensus may never eventuate.

How smart would Australia be then if it prevented implementing significant actions toward a fossil free energy economy, one that would be sustainable and clean?

While the big nations muscle and dither there are those who won't wait. One major government department, possibly the largest energy consumer in the world, isn't sitting on its hands. Perhaps, you would be very surprised to learn...

In 2008 this government department consumed 889 Trillion British Thermal Units (Btu's) on its sites alone. This is more Btu's than countries such as Denmark and Israel. It uses 0.4% of the world's total petroleum, equal to 1.8% of the US consumption. It actually uses much more, but those figures are not calculated in.

By now, you might have guessed that I am referring to the US Department of Defense (DoD). From reading their literature it is clear that they have respect for peak oil and what this means strategically for them. Energy sustainability, front and centre, is one of their greatest challenges, to shift to 100% renewable energy sources as quickly as possible.

Presently the US Marines are piloting, on a massive scale, 5 installations like the one at Miramar, California. They are aggressively pursuing "green basing" technologies, quite radical by civilian standards. Their objective is Net Zero Energy, Net Zero Waste and Net Zero Water. I will provide a link where you can begin your own research.

To be honest, I was surprised, namely because of the contention science causes many US citizens.  While there is less dispute on peak oil it seems the US Federal government's answer is to drill even more. Drill, baby, Drill. Frack away! Drill in the Gulf, drill in Alaska, lay a continental Tar Sand's pipeline. You've heard of a pipe-dream? Who is going to pay? We already know.

Talking about a renewable energy revolution is just talk. Some States such as California, Oregon, New Hampshire and Indiana are striking out on their own renewable sustainable energy solutions. They are not waiting either. 

So, it seems the DoD actually believes in science and they are not afraid to work with the near forgotten  US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Their main motive for restructuring is obviously strategic, but they also discuss being driven by green factors. I nearly fell of my chair. If they are doing it then what are we waiting for? Surely, the writing is there for all to see.

The lesson in all of this for Australians - don't wait! - get on with it. And don't be the last off the blocks.