Department of Defense incorporating climate change into military operations

The Department of Defense (DoD) recently published their directive to incorporate climate-change mitigation into every aspect of military operations. The DoD believes that risks associated with climate change will be a multi-generational threat to our nation’s interests and national security.

To four-star generals and admirals, among them the regional combatant commanders who plan and fight the nation’s wars, the directive tells them: “Incorporate climate change impacts into plans and operations and integrate DoD guidance and analysis in Combatant Command planning to address climate change-related risks and opportunities across the full range of military operations, including steady-state campaign planning and operations and contingency planning.” Washington Times

DoD recognizes the reality of climate change and the significant risk it poses to U.S. interests globally. The National Security Strategy, issued in February 2015, is clear that climate change is an urgent and growing threat to our national security, contributing to increased natural disasters, refugee flows, and conflicts over basic resources such as food and water. These impacts are already occurring, and the scope, scale, and intensity of these impacts are projected to increase over time.  DoD Response to Senate Inquiry 2015

Editorial cartoon courtesy of Robert Lang