The latest attack on United Nations’ fuel convoys in Pakistan occurred last Friday. Militants fired warning shots to get drivers away from the fuel tanks, then torched the fuel. Elisabeth Rosenthal of The New York Times reports that one soldier or civilian will die for every 24 convoys that transfer fuel.

In light of this statistic and the recent attacks on the transfer units, the military has begun an initiative to lessen their dependence on fossil fuels and, to use the common phrase, “go green.”

Not only is this an excellent idea that will save the lives of countless soldiers and civilians, but also the military can act as an inspiration, rushing to the forefront of the green movement and hopefully motivating the rest of the United States to follow suit.

The CIA World Factbook places United States oil consumption at 18,690,000 barrels per day. This monumental number makes us the largest consumer of fossil fuels in the world. Clearly this shows that as a nation we are too dependent on oil and fossil fuels and we must change that in any way possible.

The military sets an excellent example for the rest of the nation, however. Not only are they developing and using biofuels as well as hybrid vehicles and vessels, they are setting lofty but attainable goals for themselves. The Marines and Navy hope to be powered at least 50 percent by renewable sources by the year 2020.

If the United States armed forces can make this monumental change, then so can the rest of our nation.

The military is not only protecting us as a nation but also leading us into the future of energy independence, and we owe it to them and to ourselves to follow their lead.

Developing sustainable renewable energy sources and becoming energy independent has become more important now than ever before.

The level of importance cannot be ignored by anyone, be they congressmen or average citizens.

Everyone can do their part by speaking on behalf of the green movement or voting on issues that would help fund and further research for renewable energy resources.

The United States armed forces have begun the process, now is the time for the rest of us to ensure that it continues.