NWC Issues in National Security Lecture Series, Lecture 5 "Global Climate Issues"

This lecture took place November 21, 2022.
From Professor Cameron: Climate change affects security around the world. Cmdr. Cameron explores the basics of climate change and the many ways it interacts with national security. For over 20 years, the DoD has increasingly incorporated a variety of climate-related considerations into defense which is culminating in the recent surge of activities. This includes adapting to environmental changes, building resiliency within the infrastructure, and understanding the geostrategic and operational implications. Global changes to climate have significant impacts to local water, food, and other resources leading to potentially destabilizing effects on fragile state systems and migration. These changes affect the entire globe-leaving each country (allies and adversaries alike) to determine their unique security interests. The countries and organizations that best understand and anticipate these changes will be the best prepared to fight and win in the unstable climatic environment of the next century.
Cmdr. Andrea H. Cameron, U.S. Navy, is a permanent military professor teaching policy analysis in the National Security Affairs Department and the founding director of the Climate and Human Security Studies Group. Her academic interests explore non-traditional and transnational security threats and their impact on U.S. strategic, national security and economic interests. These research interests include climate change and security, climate and energy policy, human security topics and civil-military coordination during humanitarian assistance/disaster relief. In Spring 2023, Cmdr. Cameron will be a Fulbright Scholar in NATO Security Studies in Brussels, Belgium, to research NATO climate security policy development.
The views presented by the faculty or other guest speakers do not reflect official positions of the Naval War College, DON or DOD.

[@tomasp3394]

I hope something good comes out of this, like modular nuclear reactors powering cities while at port. If the main mission of US navy is ultimately promoting interests of US citizens by ensuring free trade with their partners I fail to see how prioritizing climate change mitigation helps that mission.

[@Brandi.Nicole]

Funding. Oh did you want transparency? 😅 We will have gradual (though, disruptive) shifts with our planet and the weather. Whether it’s due solo a “climate change” isn’t really the point - the point is look at federal budget direction, take into consideration various data collections across STEM fields, global position of defense, current spending / published gov supported research, (and that organizations separate, privately published analyses / data collections) and of course, like stated in the video - history. 🗝️

[@rexanguis214]

That is some good points

[@robertwnorrisii9143]

Professor Dr. Cameron, My question is on Climate Literacy. Are you experiencing trouble explaining the detailed statistics / metrics described in the climate agreements or is it distilling the complex into a narrative to the public in order to get support on the policy of climate change. Thank you. Sincerely & Respectfully, R.W.N II

[@asokt4931]

Climate literacy is a duty for each citizen because we need to live in a new world where our planet may forever be more hostile, and from this perspective - there is an need for both peace and collaboration. From a security perspective - we cannot underestimate the security risk climate change poses. For instance - a drought could send millions into our borders, increase risk of regional conflict and war. Our institutions simply would fail to adapt … so, why not start now. Also - given the ads time, reaching climate literacy is not very hard, follow the information channels; so tapping into influences etc. Plus climate literacy is also important to building community resilience a term used to talk about the connections people hold. Similarly - its about food justice, learning about environment, climate may encourage more people to hold a garden in their homes, etc. all these lead to prosperity and security but they certainty challenge many structures in our society. Hence - it’s a will we miss and a political will. Big oil and gas undermine our climate policies because they want to control the renewables and why they are also buying up farmlands. We must not let our capitals fall for the industries that exist at our mercy. They serve our national interest - not the other way around. Plus its time we truly allow our nations to reach their ideal, to truly become free!

[@mcmxli-by1tj]

According to her, climate change is destabilizing other countries only. The USA has no problems with migration, drought, wildfires, fisheries, or floods.