That got me interested on fuel economy.
According to this webpage, a M1A2 has a gas tank size of 1907 l (505 gal) and a cruising range of 426 km (265 miles).
That would make 448 l/100km (0.52 MPG). Wow.
The site also says
A tank will need approximately 300 gallons every eight hours; this will vary depending on mission, terrain, and weather. (1364 l)
0.6 miles per gallon.
60 gallons per hour when traveling cross-country (263 l)
30+ gallons per hour while operating at a tactical ideal (136+ l)
10 gallons basic idle (45 l)
A mine plow will increase the fuel consummation rate of a tank by 25 percent
So that suggests, over 4 tons CO2 per tank-refill. Many of those things don’t get to roll very far (except by train, ship), but there’s still over 120 tons embodied CO2 just from producing the (mainly) steel. Also the energy in the shells.
I guess military planes, ships, missiles contribute more than tanks. Should also consider albedo effects such as smoke drifting over arctic snow.
But maybe this is all dwarfed by the implied emissions of reconstruction later, also missed opportunities for cooperation on global mitigation efforts.
Probably you are right with the latter. A cement brick house easily has 100 tons CO². And in war, whole cities get destroyed. Plus destruction of enemy energy infrastructure, like oil fields, if existant.
Kind of sad now, when I think about it. Looks like we rather destroy the enemy with us, than having somebody we don’t like rise above us.
That got me interested on fuel economy. According to this webpage, a M1A2 has a gas tank size of 1907 l (505 gal) and a cruising range of 426 km (265 miles).
That would make 448 l/100km (0.52 MPG). Wow.
The site also says
So that suggests, over 4 tons CO2 per tank-refill. Many of those things don’t get to roll very far (except by train, ship), but there’s still over 120 tons embodied CO2 just from producing the (mainly) steel. Also the energy in the shells. I guess military planes, ships, missiles contribute more than tanks. Should also consider albedo effects such as smoke drifting over arctic snow.
But maybe this is all dwarfed by the implied emissions of reconstruction later, also missed opportunities for cooperation on global mitigation efforts.
Probably you are right with the latter. A cement brick house easily has 100 tons CO². And in war, whole cities get destroyed. Plus destruction of enemy energy infrastructure, like oil fields, if existant.
Kind of sad now, when I think about it. Looks like we rather destroy the enemy with us, than having somebody we don’t like rise above us.