STORY: Climate change impacts national security plans for future

Climate Change has tested the minds of national security experts, in terms of coming up with new ways to prepare for the consequences attached to various geographical areas. In other countries, some have to uproot their lives because their country did not have the infrastructure to assist those affected by climate change. The United States armed forces have developed actionable strategies for dealing with the effects of climate change. Similar to certain diseases, it may not be preventable but there may be a way to ease the effects.

The United States Army War College performed a study about the significant changes in climate that have already occurred and how they plan to handle this in the years ahead. Some of the recommendations provided in the report revolve around the Army operating environment, Army institution, the joint force and the Department of Defense, and the national context.

Some of these recommendations include the following:

Some may believe that climate change is a myth, but United States national security are taking measures to best prepare for what future years could possibly bring to the U.S. in regard to environmental factors.

For example; there is proof in numbers that show a scale of catastrophic storms are now becoming more frequent than in previous centuries. Temperatures reaching record highs clash with cold temperatures thus creating more frequent tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes and other weather events that can alter “normal life.”

Kathleen Garland, University of Houston-Clear Lake lecturer of environmental studies, participates in environmental discussions surrounding climate change and the long-term effects certain decisions could possibly have on our planet. 
 
“Climate change is recognized internationally as a key factor in reducing global security,” Garland said. “It is already changing the global landscape in terms of water availability and access to food and energy, and is exacerbating poverty in developing countries, resource scarcity leads to conflict. While climate change is a global phenomenon, mitigation and adaptation strategies must be local.”

Garland said developed nations already have the economic capacity to support actions that soften the blow, but developing nations require external support in order to achieve adaptation and mitigation.

“The stress on communities that comes from food and water shortages, droughts, floods, etc., can lead to local uprisings against the central government,” Garland said. “Weak central governments risk falling prey to attacks from both internal and external forces who can exploit a power vacuum to usurp the country’s resources for their own constituencies. The winners in these conflicts seldom have the greater good in mind; they generally want to capture resources for themselves.” 

Garland explained that resource wars and climate refugees already exist; but there will be more in the coming years. Garland fears that the U.S. is ill-equipped and behind on planning for adaptation for the consequences of climate change

“Without effective and determined leadership at both the national and international levels, we will continue to fall behind as a nation,” Garland said. “Because our emissions affect global CO2 levels, and because much of the world looks to the U.S. for leadership, the rest of the world will also fall behind. Our failure to act is a failure to secure our interests on a global level for decades to come. It is a failure to act responsibly toward the future generations of the planet.”
 

The NASA graph above, last updated in October 2019 illustrates the description of the carbon dioxide levels in past years, up to the current level / years. To date, this is the highest carbon dioxide level worldwide. The significance is that the atmosphere is experiencing the highest carbon dioxide levels, which can potentially threaten human life if it reaches a certain point. 

Weather events such as fires are becoming more frequent, and this too can be credited to climate change. 
 
“Not a pretty picture, I’m afraid,” Garland said. “And we are not the only actor contributing to the problem. Without some nation stepping up to take an international leadership role, things are going to get a lot worse… And I’m generally an optimist!” 
 

Taylor Barrett, BSN, RN of Emergency Nurses Association of Texas, said disaster relief and emergency preparation is critical in helping with the effects of climate change, and that keeping the public informed on how emergency management works is a top priority for those who work in emergency preparedness. 

“Our biggest goal would be to involve the community by educating them on how to react when unforeseen events occur,” Barrett said. 

In an effort to be proactive, there will be a disaster drill at Memorial Hermann Southeast Dec. 1, 2019, to practice how to react in storm-related tragedies. These drills were created as an opportunity to educate and inform the public as well as provide practice to employees who work in the healthcare industry. 

These drills have become a part of the routine and are now incorporated as a part of an extra training force of emergency preparedness. Emergency room nurses are now being provided funds to go to Annison, Alabama, to train at the Center for domestic preparedness for future events.

Barrett said people will not be able to foresee the unpredictable events of the future, which is why our biggest focus is always staying prepared.” 

“If the public isn’t informed, we’re not able to do our job the best way. Since Hurricane Harvey, we have made improved efforts in ways to reach and inform the community. There are now websites and apps that can update you and keep you informed.”