Chatter: The Military, Climate Change, and the Environment, with Sherri Goodman
Dec 3, 2024
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Sherri Goodman, the first Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Environmental Security, shares her extensive experience in navigating climate change and military strategy. She discusses the evolution of military responsibilities concerning environmental security, emphasizing climate change as a significant threat multiplier. Goodman reveals the U.S. military's role in disaster response and its changing training practices. She also reflects on bipartisan cooperation in national security and the challenges of managing environmental waste at nuclear facilities.
Sherri Goodman emphasized the importance of bipartisanship in addressing military and environmental challenges during her tenure on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Her role highlighted the need for effective communication among regulatory agencies, environmental organizations, and the Department of Defense to enhance cleanup efforts of military facilities.
Goodman advocated for transforming climate change from a threat multiplier to an opportunity multiplier by fostering resilience and enhancing climate intelligence within military operations.
Deep dives
Sherry Goodman's Background and Early Career
Sherry Goodman, the first Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Environmental Security, pursued her passion for public service and military affairs from a young age, shaped by her family's history as Holocaust refugees and the backdrop of the Cold War. Her interest in international relations fueled her early work in Washington, particularly focused on nuclear weapons and safety issues. This led to her role on the Senate Armed Services Committee, where she tackled oversight of the Department of Energy's nuclear weapons facilities. Goodman's expertise ultimately positioned her at the intersection of military strategy and environmental security during a pivotal era of change.
The Role of Bipartisanship in Military Environmental Policy
During Goodman's tenure, she emphasized the importance of bipartisanship in addressing military and environmental challenges, which was especially prominent under Senator Sam Nunn's leadership. The committee fostered collaboration among members from both sides of the aisle, ensuring accountability in armed services while being responsive to the nation's environmental responsibilities. This cooperative spirit paved the way for significant legislative measures, including the creation of the Defense Nuclear Facility Safety Board, which continues to oversee the safety of defense facilities. Goodman's career exemplifies how working across party lines can lead to meaningful advancements in national security and environmental protection.
Challenges in Environmental Management at Military Facilities
Goodman played a crucial role in addressing the environmental management issues surrounding military facilities, particularly as many were aging and in need of attention due to health and safety concerns. The fallout from incidents like the Three Mile Island accident raised awareness of safety lapses in defense-related facilities, compelling Congress to mandate reforms and oversight mechanisms. She faced the daunting task of establishing connections between various stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, environmental organizations, and the Department of Defense, to streamline cleanup processes. Her efforts in building effective communication and partnerships enabled a focus on remediation and responsible stewardship of defense-related properties.
The Evolution of Climate and Environmental Security in the Military
Goodman's insights highlighted the increasing necessity for the military to adapt to climate change and environmental challenges while also leveraging them as opportunities. The Department of Defense has begun recognizing the risks associated with climate vulnerabilities, prompting a shift in how military operations are planned and executed. Environmental security has now emerged as a vital component of national defense strategy, emphasizing the military's responsibility to manage its environmental footprint effectively. This evolution supports a broader understanding that addressing climate-related actions can enhance military readiness and resilience.
Recommendations for Addressing Climate Change in Military Planning
To transform climate change from a threat multiplier into an opportunity multiplier, Goodman suggests a comprehensive approach encompassing awareness, adaptation, mitigation, and alliances. Enhancing climate intelligence can facilitate informed decision-making and strategic planning that accounts for potential impacts on military operations. Building resilience within military infrastructure is also crucial to withstand and adapt to changing environmental conditions, while initiatives aimed at reducing emissions must be prioritized. Finally, fostering partnerships with allies enhances collaborative approaches to climate security, ensuring a unified response in facing global challenges.
Sherri Goodman was the first Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Environmental Security and has worked on issues around climate change, the environment, and security for more than 35 years. She joined David Priess to discuss her work on the staff of the Senate Armed Service Committee starting in the 1980s, her impressions of Senator Sam Nunn, her duties as the first Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Environmental Security), the campaign to clean up the Defense Department's nuclear-related facilities, her visits to Russia in the 1990s, the threat climate change poses to military facilities, the US military as an environmental crisis responder, how climate change and environmental concerns have changed military training, climate change as multiplier of opportunities as well as a multiplier of threats, and more.
Chatter is a production of Lawfare and Goat Rodeo. This episode was produced and edited by Cara Shillenn of Goat Rodeo. Podcast theme by David Priess, featuring music created using Groovepad.
