As the world continues to adapt to climate change, our militaries also work to continue to create and meet standards. The negative effects of climate change are not only related to melting sea ice and rising sea level, but also to more severe weather events, such as droughts, floods, stronger hurricanes, and increased forest fires. As the effects of climate change continue to worsen, the Department of Defense established its first plan for combating the changing climate in September of 2021 – the Department of Defense Climate Adaptation Plan.
In the Department of Defense (DOD) Climate Adaptation Plan, the DOD has established five priorities in adaptation actions: Climate informed decision making, training and equipping a climate-ready force, resilient built and natural installation infrastructure, supply chain resilience and innovation, and enhanced adaptation and resilience through collaboration.
For example, following the DOD Climate Adaptation Plan, the U.S. Army released its first Army Climate Strategy Plan. “The plan aims to slash the Army’s emissions in half by 2030; electrify all non-combat vehicles by 2035 and develop electric combat vehicles by 2050” (Washington Post, 2022).
With more focus being put on strategies to combat the effects of climate change, it will not only better prepare for unit readiness, but it could also have a positive impact on the communities surrounding military installations, as well as those areas/regions where military operations are being conducted. In the case of natural disasters caused by climate change, military installations may be climate-ready in providing resources, such as electricity, potable water, and habitats for surrounding communities. Overall the DOD Climate Adaptation Plan can also help the services get ahead of future potential social, environmental, or economic risks that otherwise might go undetected until it’s too late, i.e. the Honolulu water crisis.
Birnbaum, Michael, and Tik Root. “The U.S. Army Has Released Its First-Ever Climate Strategy. Here’s What That Means.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 19 Feb. 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2022/02/10/army-military-green-climate-strategy/.
Department of the Army, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment.
February 2022. United States Army Climate Strategy. Washington, DC.
https://www.army.mil/e2/downloads/rv7/about/2022_army_climate_strategy.pdf
Department of Defense, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (Acquisition and Sustainment). 2021.
Department of Defense Draft Climate Adaptation Plan. Report Submitted to National Climate Task Force
and Federal Chief Sustainability Officer. 1 September 2021.