
Columbia Energy Exchange
The U.S. Military is Taking the Fight to Climate Change
Sep 24, 2024
Sherri Goodman, a climate change and defense expert, discusses the U.S. military's pivotal shift toward addressing climate change as a core part of national security. She highlights the evolution of the Department of Defense's climate initiatives, from the 2012 adaptation roadmap to contemporary strategies enhancing climate resilience. Goodman explains how extreme weather drives migration and conflict, and she emphasizes energy resilience within military operations. Explore her insights on the military's role in combating climate change and its implications for global stability.
39:25
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Quick takeaways
- The U.S. military now considers climate change a central component of national security, recognizing it as a significant 'threat multiplier'.
- Strategies implemented by the Pentagon include enhancing infrastructure resilience and achieving net-zero emissions to address climate-related challenges.
Deep dives
The Evolving Perception of Climate Change in National Security
Climate change has shifted from being a minor consideration to a central concern in U.S. national security strategies. Initially, military leaders did not consider environmental factors as significant threats, but contemporary insights highlight climate change as a 'threat multiplier' that exacerbates instability. This idea emphasizes how environmental changes can escalate conflicts and affect strategic decisions, drawing attention to issues like rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Recognizing these risks, the military now integrates climate considerations into its defense policy and operational planning.
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