studies), they contain unique attributes. Perhaps most
relevant is all life depends on water. There are alter-
native energy sources; however, there is no substitute
for fresh water. Thinking about water and energy to-
gether is appropriate, and as repeated throughout this
report reflects sustainability issues are interrelated.
Many of the documents and reports cited here; how-
ever, do not explicitly draw the connections between
energy needs and water demand. Current attention
is focused on energy, with water treated as an aside.
The DOD (2010c) Quadrennial Defense Review, for ex-
ample, does not address water as an independent is-
sue as it does with energy. Yet, water is predicted to
contribute to social unrest in the coming decades as
humans put increasing demands on the finite quanti-
ties available on Earth. Troops will always need fresh
water wherever they are deployed and helping other
nations better manage their water resources may be a
growing requirement to ensure stability, especially in
arid regions. This is recognized in the DOD Strategic
Sustainability Performance Plan. As it is doing with en-
ergy, the military has the capability to become a leader
in promoting water conservation, improved water
management strategies, and in identifying alternative
technologies and products which are less water inten-
sive.
Life Cycle Assessment
Relevant to all topics already presented is the idea
of conducting life cycle assessments (LCA). The Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency defines LCA as:
A technique to assess the environmental aspects and
potential impacts associated with a product, process,