THE PENTAGON — The Department of Defense (DOD) executed a historic contract with Fleshlight by tapping into a favorite servicemember pastime and making it easier to beat climate change impacts.

Executive Order 14057 directs the federal government to shift energy purchases to more carbon-pollution-free electricity, such as solar, wind, or hydropower. But many of the military’s Good Idea Fairy’s initiatives take years to get started, cost too much, or try too hard to change an ingrained culture for meager outcomes.

The Wagner Initiative aims to change DOD’s energy game.

Richard Kidd, deputy assistant secretary of Defense for environment and energy resilience, is optimistic about the program’s future.