National security and climate change
As Americans we honor our troops and respect our military. Thousands of lives have been lost to protect this great country and keep it free. And yet, why do we ignore their warning about climate change? Over the years, every branch of the military has said that climate change is a major issue America must address. Many studies are coming out saying as climate change continues, more countries around the world will become politically unstable.
As governments around the world become less stable, organizations like ISIS find footholds and create international turmoil. Severe droughts, sea level rise and food scarcity will be catalysts for both mass migrations and even war. Climate change has been considered by some a threat multiplier, in that it will compound major issues in the world today. It is considered a direct cause of instability in some regions of the world. Imagine a world without the Mississippi River. Americans would have some serious problems to deal with.
The Department of Defense, or DoD, had this to say: ”Climate change will affect the DoD’s ability to defend the nation and poses immediate risks to U.S. national security. The DoD does not want to just kick the can down the road and let future generations deal with it. They want to take immediate actions to help the U.S. military be ready. Many top military advisors say that whether you believe in the evidence of climate change or not, something must be done and it needs to be now. As national security risks continue to increase, the U.S. must work with its allies to strengthen global resilience to climate disruption.
Our military is smart and wise when it comes to evaluating risks, and they have been preparing their bases to withstand the coming uncertainty. Already, the Pentagon is assessing the vulnerability to climate change of its 7,000 bases, installations and facilities. Over 30 U.S. bases are threatened by a rise in sea level.
The deputy undersecretary of defense for the environment said,”Our dependence on fuel adds significant cost and puts US soldiers and contractors at risk.” He added, “Energy can be a matter of life and death and we have seen dramatically in Iraq and Afghanistan the cost of heavy reliance on fossil fuels.”
The U.S. military is considered one of the most conservative organizations in the world, and yet most Americans don’t want to listen. The military is not waiting around for ideologies or politics to line up on the issue. Many are listening and acting on the warning being given. For example, the U.S. Air Force has built up America’s biggest solar battery array in Nevada and is testing jet fighter engines on biofuels. The Marine Corps may soon start drilling its own wells to eliminate the need to truck in bottled water. This is in response to recommendations from a task forces to reduce energy use in a war zones. By following in their footsteps, Americans can do their part to fight climate change.
We must now open up our ears and listen to our military leaders! Be part of the solution and not the problem.
If you want to make a difference, learn your ecological footprint.
— Darren Bingham