The Navy's effort extends beyond just biofuels, of course, and
includes projects such as lightening loads for U.S. marines by
using solar cells to replace heavy batteries. "When you think of
a marine, the first thing you think of is probably not an ardent
environmentalist," Mabus noted. "They truly have embraced this"
because it saves lives. Indeed, for every 50 fuel convoys in
Afghanistan, one marine dies. This July the Navy intends to
demonstrate a "Great Green Fleet" in Hawaii, which will include
a nuclear-powered carrier and submarine but also all aircraft
and surface ships burning a 50-50 blend of biofuels and
petroleum-derived fuels. It is a bid to demonstrate that the
U.S. Navy can power its vehicles with more secure domestic
biofuels that also happen to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions
causing climate change. Already, the USS Ford has cruised from
Washington State to San Diego on a 50-50 blend of marine diesel
and biodiesel, among other demonstrations in recent years. That
type of fuel is exactly w