By now, most listeners are familiar with the consequences of climate change. Warming has been linked to a rise in the frequency and intensity of droughts, severe storms, floods, and infectious disease. These events damage infrastructure, sicken citizens, and alter the availability of crops and natural resources.
Sadly, climate change is still a polarizing topic in American politics. So much so that it was largely absent from fall’s presidential debates, which occurred on the heels of a crippling drought. So it was welcome news to hear about the Pentagon’s new plan to meet 25% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2025.
The Department of Defense is a huge consumer of fossil fuels; its demand outstrips the country of Sweden. If approved by Congress, the Pentagon’s renewable initiative would reduce carbon emissions while minimizing risks associated with military fuel convoys. The commitment would also provide a critical market for emerging energy technologies.
Greening our military is a step in the right direction. It breaks down partisan walls. And it aligns with sentiments put forth in a recent climate security report by the American Security Project. Here, Brigadier General Stephen A. Cheney, head of the non-partisan think-tank, said that “climate change poses a clear and present danger to the United States through its effects on our global allies as well as its direct effects on our agriculture, infrastructure, economy, and public health.”
Our military leaders recognize the gravity of climate change – it’s time for our politicians to follow suit, across the aisles.
Web Links
New Scientist
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21628893.500-the-us-military-is-a-useful-ally-on-climate-change.html; http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21628894.400-ecowarriors-us-military-pushes-for-green-energy.html; http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/archive/2889/28894401.jpg
American Security Project Report
http://americansecurityproject.org/featured-items/2012/climate-security-report/
USDA
http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/in-the-news/us-drought-2012-farm-and-food-impacts.aspx
Photo, taken on October 20, 2009, courtesy of U.S. Army Africa via Flickr.