U.S. Soldiers from the 59th Aviation Troop Command, South Carolina Army National Guard, provide airborne support during flood relief operations in Columbia, S.C., Oct. 5, 2015. Photo by Staff Sgt. Roberto Di Giovine
“I’ve taken two briefs in the last eight months on what I consider our most critical vulnerability, and that’s Parris Island, South Carolina.” – Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Glenn Walters
The Center for Climate and Security’s Military Expert Panel, including senior retired flag and general officers from each of the Armed Services, recently issued the 2ndedition of a report concluding that sea level rise risks to coastal military installations will present serious risks to the military mission, underscoring a ‘Responsibility to Prepare.’ The report includes new information regarding military installation vulnerabilities, including to the energy and transportation infrastructure that these installations depend on, showing significant risks to high-value military sites – in South Carolina and across the country. The report asserts that policies for addressing climate change risks must go beyond military infrastructure resilience, to include the resilience of surrounding civilian infrastructure, as well as the resilience of military operations in the face of these rapid changes.
Please join the Center for Climate and Security, in partnership with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation and the Charleston Resilience Network for a discussion about those risks, and the opportunities in South Carolina for addressing them. Full agenda below.
The main event will take on place August 7th from 2-5:00pm, followed by a film screening of Tidewater from 5:30-7:30pm at the The Citadel’s Holliday Alumni Center, 69 Hagood Ave, Charleston, SC 29403. Parking available in the Congress Street Lot.
To RSVP, send your name and affiliation to events at climateandsecurity dot org.
Agenda
2:00 – 5:00 pm
Introduction: Caitlin Werrell, Co-Founder, The Center for Climate and Security
Preparing for a Climate Changed Future: Addressing Climate Risks to the Military’s Mission
Brigadier General Stephen Cheney, USMC (Ret.), American Security Project, Former Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Heather L. Messera, Moderator, Senior Fellow for Government Affairs, The Center for Climate and Security
Readiness and Resilience for Southeastern Military Installations and Communities
Billy Keyserling, Mayor of Beaufort, South Carolina
John J. Tecklenburg, Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina
David Johnston, Charleston Resilience Network
Ginnie Kozak, Planning Director, Lowcountry Council of Governments, Project Manager for the MCRD Parris Island and MCAS Joint Land Use Study
Moderator: Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, USN (Ret.), The Center for Climate and Security, Former Director of Surface Warfare, Chief of Naval Operations Staff
Closing Remarks
Susan Wickwire, Vice President, Board of Governors, The Henry M. Jackson Foundation
5:30 – 7:00pm
Film Screening and Discussion – Tidewater
Colonel Mark “Puck” Mykleby, The Center for Climate and Security, former special strategic assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, USN (Ret.), The Center for Climate and Security, Former Director of Surface Warfare, Chief of Naval Operations Staff
