Will Rogers over at the Center for a New American Security has posted an excellent blog compiling posture statements and exchanges from each of the Geographic Combatant Commanders (GCCs) on climate change during recent Senate Armed Services Committee hearings. We’re re-posting it below:
How are the Combatant Commanders thinking about Climate Change?
By Will Rogers
The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee has been holding hearings with the U.S. combatant commanders over the last several weeks. The combatant commanders have been briefing their posture statements for their individual geographic Areas of Responsibility (AOR). Here are what the combatant commanders had to say about climate change in their prepared remarks.
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM)
General Carter Ham, Commander of U.S. Africa Command, March 1, 2012
General Ham’s posture statement did not initially mention climate change, which seems strange considering the findings of a 2011 Defense Science Board (DSB) report on national security and climate change that gave “special attention to the African continent due to the vulnerability of African nations with high potential to intersect with United States national interests.”
However, in follow up Q/A, Senator Mark Udall asked General Ham to comment on the DSB report and whether “resource scarcity and the impacts of climate change have the potential to cause or aggravate conflicts in your AOR?” General Ham replied:
Senator, there’s no question but that environmental security can have a dramatic effect on overall security, both in individual states and more regionally. I would tell you my frank assessment is that we’re having better success in response to environmental security challenges than we are finding traction for preventative or predictive actions that could be taken.
On the good side, we have incorporated in a number of regional exercises, which we conduct over the course of this fiscal year, 16 exercises involving as many as 30 different African states that will have as a component of that exercise response to an environmental disaster of some sort, mostly water-related, either flood or drought. We are finding that the African nations are very accepting and understanding of the security impacts of such issues.
As I indicated, though, we’re finding — and perhaps because it’s more difficult — we’re finding less traction on the preventive steps than we are on response.
Continue reading the full exchange here.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)
General James N. Mattis, Commander U.S. Central Command, March 6, 2012
General Mattis’s posture statement did not include any mention of climate change, which is expected given that CENTCOM is charged with managing the war in Afghanistan and addressing emergent issues in the Persian Gulf. Of course, General Mattis may have many thoughts about climate change within his AOR; I have no reason to suspect otherwise. Nevertheless, climate change is a challenge that should be integrated into CENTCOM’s strategic planning given the range of resources issues in the region that could be exacerbated by climate change, from water scarcity to food shortages.
U.S. European Command (EUCOM)
Admiral James G. Stavridis, Commander of U.S. European Command, March 1, 2012
Climate change in the Arctic makes it one of the world’s most rapidly changing environments. As the volume of Arctic sea ice decreases, access continues to increase permitting maritime traffic into areas previously impassable without specialized vessels. This new access is creating opportunities for transit, development, and natural resource extraction. While some see these changes as a potential breeding ground for conflict, we see the risk of armed conflict as low, and continue to approach the Arctic as an area of cooperation among Arctic nations.
U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM)
General Charles H. Jacoby, Jr., Commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Command, March 13, 2012
General Jacoby stated that “the effects of climate change continually reshape our strategic environment.”
Specifically, General Jacoby pointed out the national security implications from Arctic change, resulting largely for global climate change:
The progressive opening of the Arctic represents both challenges and opportunities. Climate change in the Arctic is impacting the land and seascape, creating opportunity for increased human activity and presenting a new set of regional vulnerabilities and potential resource competitions. Emerging Arctic challenges require deliberate preparation to ensure economic access and freedom of maneuver, and to prevent irresponsible actions. As the Arctic opens, there will be a marked increase in human activity in a push for resources (e.g., fish, diamonds, natural gas) and eco-tourism. Special capabilities will be required to operate successfully in the Arctic. For instance, icebreakers are an essential capability for the United States to exercise our responsibilities. I believe the nation should continue to exercise freedom of navigation to assure access to this new dimension of the maritime domain.
U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM)
Admiral Robert F. Willard, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command, February 28, 2012*
The U.S. alliance with Australia anchors USPACOM’s strategy in Oceania. Australia, with additional contributions from New Zealand, invests extensively in security and assistance efforts in this sub-region. The Australian continent notwithstanding, most of Oceania is comprised of Pacific Island nations spread across the vast expanse of the South Pacific Ocean. Security challenges associated with natural resources in this sub-region tend to predominate. In particular, illegal fishing, resource damage attributed to climate change and global warming, and the susceptibility of low lying island nations to typhoons and tsunamis define USPACOM and U.S. Coast Guard approaches to engagement in Oceania, often in concert with Australian and New Zealand actions.
*Admiral Willard has since retired from the U.S. Navy. His successor, Admiral Samuel J. Locklear, briefly touched on climate change in his response to advanced policy questions ahead of his confirmation hearing, noting that, “New Delhi and Beijing do find common ground and cooperate in international forums such as BRICS, the G20, and in Climate Change Conferences where both countries leverage their convergent interests to shape international trade rules to ensure their continued domestic development and economic growth.”
U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)
General Douglas M. Fraser, Commander of U.S. Southern Command, March 6, 2012
General Fraser’s posture statement does not mention climate change specifically. However, climate change is inextricably linked with some of the broader challenges that SOUTHCOM will continue to confront in the southern hemisphere, including providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response to natural disasters. General Fraser noted that:
In addition to the threat posed by transnational organized crime, the region is also vulnerable to humanitarian crises, mass migrations, and natural disasters. United States Southern Command remains a committed and responsive partner in foreign humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts. To enhance partner nation preparedness, we strengthen the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) capacities of regional militaries-through our multinational training exercises and security cooperation activities. Our efforts are yielding long-term dividends while also promoting the shared responsibility and costs of regional leadership in responding to catastrophes. Countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Colombia have demonstrated an increased capacity to respond to natural disasters without asking for U.S. or international aid, a testament in part to the effectiveness of our programs.
United States Southern Command is also watchful for potential geopolitical turbulence that could impact U.S. citizens and military personnel in the region, particularly in Cuba, Haiti, Bolivia, and Venezuela. Fidel Castro’s leadership transition to his brother Raul is complete, but the long-term effects of the government’s market reforms remain to be seen. Haiti, while making slow but steady progress, remains vulnerable to natural disasters and economic hardship. Public demonstrations in Bolivia related to wages, food prices, and energy shortages are likely to continue until the government addresses the underlying causes of social turmoil.
Again, these quotes are excerpts from the combatant commanders’ posture statements, with the exception of the Q/A exchange between Senator Mark Udall and General Ham. I will continue to review the transcripts from the hearings to see if any of the other combatant commanders had similar exchanges on climate change.
