Even the Republicans agreed
During
markup of the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA),
Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), Ranking Member on the Emerging Threats and
Capabilities Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, introduced an
amendment to ensure that climate change is included as part of the United
States national security strategy.
The
amendment, which was cosponsored by every Democratic member of the committee,
passed by voice vote.
As
stated in the amendment text, the committee has acknowledged that “climate
change is a direct threat to the national security of the United States” and
that “the Department of Defense must ensure that it is prepared to conduct
operations both today and in the future and that it is prepared to address the effects
of a changing climate on threat assessments, resources, and readiness.”
“It should come as no surprise that we are discussing climate change as a national security threat during consideration of our annual defense policy bill in the Armed Services Committee, said Congressman Langevin.
“Numerous
leaders from our defense and intelligence communities, appointed by both
Democratic and Republican administrations, have acknowledged that a volatile
climate is a serious threat to our readiness and to our long-term defense
posture. This straightforward amendment requires each Service to plan for
the future and properly determine which of their assets are most at risk.”
In a 2016 report, the Union of Concerned
Scientists identified numerous American military bases that are at risk of
significantly increased flooding due to climate change. Some mission critical
assets like Naval Station Norfolk, home of the Atlantic Fleet, currently
experience “nuisance flooding,” and the storm surges of the future are only
expected to get worse.
Additionally,
warmer temperatures and more volatile weather could affect training operations
at inland bases, thereby reducing readiness capabilities.
“Our
military leaders have told Congress that they need to account for the effects
of climate change in their planning, because it can affect the national
security of the United States and the safety of our men and women in uniform,”
said Congressman Adam Smith, Ranking Member on the House Armed Services
Committee.
“We
need to listen to them. It would be deeply inappropriate for Congress and the
White House to dismiss those concerns for political reasons.”
Langevin’s
amendment (a copy of which can be found here) directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide an assessment of and recommendations to mitigate vulnerabilities to the
top 10 most threatened military installations in each Service. It also requires
the Secretary to address combatant commander requirements resulting from
climate change over the next 20 years.
“This
amendment is a responsible first step in recognizing what most of the world
already knows— that climate change is real, and it will have a devastating
effect on the readiness of our armed forces. I deeply appreciate the support of
my colleagues in bringing a sober, fact-based approach to this critical issue
of national security,” Langevin added.
