This week CCS Director Erin Sikorsky testified before the US Senate Budget Committee in a hearing, “Budgeting for the Storm: Climate Change and the Costs to National Security,” and the UK House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee as part of its inquiry into climate security. 

The Senate hearing also featured CCS Advisory Board member retired Admiral Dennis McGinn, a longtime leader on this topic. Read his testimony here. McGinn’s testimony focused on his experience in the military in tackling climate threats, and referenced both the CCS-led Climate Security Plan for America, which he endorsed, and the CCS Security Threat Assessment of Global Climate Change.

US Senate Budget Committee Hearing, “Budgeting for the Storm: Climate Change and the Costs to National Security,” May 15, 2024. From Left: Dennis V. McGinn (VADM USN Ret.), Erin Sikorsky (CCS), Rick Dwyer (HRMFFA), Tim Gallaudet (RDML USN Ret.), and Mackenzie Eaglen (AEI).

In the US Senate hearing, all witnesses agreed that it is in the national security interest of the United States to build resilience to climate hazards. In his opening statement, Committee Chairman Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) put the threat plainly: “Climate change is a catalyst of conflict, while also threatening our military’s infrastructure and operational readiness—all at significant cost.” For his part, Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-IA) stated, “I agree climate change presents some national security-related challenges, of which the chairman laid out a long list.” 

In her written testimony and during each hearing, Sikorsky underscored four key themes:

–Militaries are already on the frontline of response to climate hazards. The CCS Military Response to Climate Hazards Tracker has identified nearly 300 deployments in 70 countries in the last 22 months. Such hazards also impact the militaries of US competitors and adversaries, and Sikorsky’s testimony highlighted damage from permafrost melt on Russian Arctic airbases and the impact of sea level rise for the Chinese Navy. 

–Investing in climate adaptation and resilience is a national security imperative, and a whole of government approach to the challenge is needed. Climate security is not only about the defense budget, it is also about development and diplomacy. She explained how managing climate-related challenges such as food insecurity and irregular migration can be managed by upstream investments in resilience, citing the work of the US Feed the Future Program in Central America as just one example.  

–Competing with China and tackling climate risks are not mutually exclusive. In fact, helping US allies and partners manage climate hazards strengthens the hand of the United States. She referenced an article she wrote with retired Admiral Sam Locklear last year that delved into the geopolitical benefits of US-supported climate resilience in the Indo-Pacific in particularly.

–Stronger partnerships between government scientists and the national security community are needed to tackle climate security challenges. In the US, the federal scientific community, including the National Labs, is a great resource that need be tapped more regularly and in more depth by security actors. This may mean the creation of new partnership pathways or modes of work going forward.  

Sikorsky’s full testimony to the UK can be found here, and the hearing can be watched here.

The US Budget Committee hearing can be found here, and the testimony for the record is available here.