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The recent wave of deadly hurricanes across the United States and neighboring islands has brought the issue of climate change to the forefront, ahead of both the US presidential elections and the UN climate conference, COP29.
Nearly 15 years ago, the Obama Administration linked climate change to national security, while the Pentagon today recognizes global warming as one of the biggest security challenges facing the country. Globally, UN leadership has consistently called for comprehensive measures to combat increasing temperatures, but many are worried that these measures are too small, and, possibly, too late.
How Does Climate Change Impact US National Security?
One of the main ways climate change impacts US national security is through the increasing number of severe weather events, like the hurricanes ravaging southeastern states, fires that break out in waves in California, floods sweeping Asia and Europe, and more.
As more extreme weather occurs, several things happen:
- Casualties increase, which puts a strain on emergency responder resources and medical infrastructure.
- Government financial resources are necessary to repair property and infrastructure damage, which detract from their availability for other things, including defense budgets.
- Extreme weather can damage crucial security infrastructure, leaving the US vulnerable to physical and digital attacks.
The US military also needs to deal with climate change — that is, with going green. The US defense forces are some of the largest producers of carbon dioxide, but the current administration has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Reducing emissions in the military will require a transitional period that may impact operations (and will certainly cost billions). The military openly acknowledges these challenges.
Climate Change: A Global Security Crisis
The US is not the only country that considers climate change a matter of national security. The UN has called the climate crisis “an increasing threat to global peace and security” and has called for the Security Council to ramp up its efforts in combating the negative effects.
Poor countries, in particular, are more susceptible to the security risks posed by climate change, as they are already struggling with weak economies, hunger, and water scarcity. According to Hermann Immongault, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Gabon, 17 out of 20 countries most affected by climate change are in Africa, where they also struggle with access to water, drought, desertification, recurrent flooding, and other challenges.
Additionally, natural disasters in struggling economies can displace full populations, creating more competition for already limited resources. This strain can lead to instability, conflict, and even all-out war.
Not only do local wars wreak havoc locally, but they have wide-reaching effects on the entire world. As the Russia-Ukraine War and Israel-Hamas War have shown, nothing takes place in a bubble. Regional wars upset the delicate geopolitical balance and disrupt global supply chains, the economy, alliances, and more.
What Can Be Done — Is COP29 Enough?
The UN’s annual climate conference takes place every year between November and December — this year it will be held in Azerbaijan. The purpose of the conference is for world leaders to reiterate their commitments to reducing carbon emissions and create practical implementation plans. Securing funding and reminding world leaders that their revised climate plans (NDCs) are due in February 2025 are two of the key issues that will be discussed at COP29.
Funding greener technology, however, is projected to cost trillions of dollars, and this is not the only obstacle toward a greener earth. COP29 will be taking place just days after the US presidential elections, the outcome of which will determine how much the US is willing to invest in rectifying the climate crisis. Similarly, it’s unclear how cooperative China will be in future plans, and it’s currently the largest emitter of greenhouse gasses in the world.
So while commitments are important, funding is what will turn these commitments into action. World superpowers that recognize climate change as a threat to national security are likely to make firm financial commitments that will serve the dual purpose of reducing extreme weather events and fortifying their country’s defenses.