The Pentagon has continued to take steps to defend its military bases against climate change despite direction from Donald Trump to stop preparations.
Earlier this year, Trump revoked all climate-related federal agency actions directed by Barack Obama.
Obama’s initiatives included one directing the Pentagon to plan for a future where storms – such as Hurricane Irma – are a ‘frequent factor in the Pentagon’s operations’.
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Trump famously denies climate change exists, but thankfully, the Secretary of Defence doesn’t mirror the President’s thoughts.
In March, Jim Mattis made promises in a 58-page written testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee saying he would make ‘addressing the threat climate change poses to U.S. national security a top priority as head of the Pentagon’, writes Military Times.
Mattis wrote:
The effects of a changing climate — such as increased maritime access to the Arctic, rising sea levels, desertification, among others — impact our security situation.
I will ensure that the department continues to be prepared to conduct operations today and in the future, and that we are prepared to address the effects of a changing climate on our threat assessments, resources, and readiness.
Retired Marine Corps Col. Mark Cancian said it makes ‘a lot of sense to prepare for a wide variety of natural disasters’.
Adding:
Even if there were no climate change, you would want to be ready for hurricanes, you would want to be ready for floods. I think the department is framing it in that context ―– just preparing for adverse events.
And a spokesman for the Pentagon said that is exactly what they’re doing.
Good to know some people have their heads screwed on.
