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Tag Archives: Australia
The Strategist: Combating climate change in the Asia–Pacific: lessons from the Marshall Plan
In light of President Obama’s visit to Asia this week, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s The Strategist published an article yesterday by the Center for Climate and Security’s Caitlin Werrell and Francesco Femia titled “Combatting climate change in the Asia–Pacific: lessons from the Marshall Plan.” It is a shorter version of a piece published in our “U.S. Asia-Pacific Rebalance, National Security and Climate Change” report, which includes a foreword by former Commander of U.S. Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, USN (ret).
Australian Defence White Paper on Climate Security Risks
Australian Royal Navy (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eddie Harrison/Released)
The Australian Department of Defence just released its 2016 Defence White Paper, a strategic document detailing its priorities. The White Paper notes that: “…the Government is investing in Australia’s defence capabilities to strengthen Australia’s security in the more complex strategic environment Australia will face in the years ahead.” According to the White Paper, one factor contributing to this “more complex strategic environment” is climate change. Below are the passages within the document pertaining specifically to climate change. Not included below are the numerous passages related to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, but it is worth noting that these are important capabilities for addressing climate impacts, enhancing international engagement and managing strategic risks. The 2009 and 2013 Defence White Papers also included sections on climate change and resource scarcity. (more…)
Australian Defence Force: Aligning Climate Security Strategy with US & UK
Australian peacekeepers unload engineering equipment. Photo by, Australian Civil-Military Centre
The Australian Climate Council recently released a report: “Be Prepared: Climate Change, Security and Australia’s Defence Force.” The report provides a good overview of climate change risks to national security and adds a critical look at how the Australian Defence Force is (and is not) preparing for those risks, and how this compares to US and UK defense forces. The report draws from an international team of reviewers including CCS advisory board member Rear Admiral Dave Titley USN (Ret), as well as Professor Jon Barnett, Professor Alan Dupont, Captain Leo Goff, USN (ret.), Dr. Liz Hanna, and Rear Admiral Neil Morisetti RN (ret.). (more…)
Australian Climate Security: The Longest Conflict
Australian Military personnel help Tsunami victims, Banda Aceh, Sumatra. Photo by Benjamin D. Glass
Australia’s Centre For Policy Development (CPD) just released a new report, The Longest Conflict: Australia’s Climate Security Challenge. The report draws lessons from climate security policies in the US and the UK and from interviews with national security and military leaders and existing analysis. UK Rear Admiral Neil Morisetti was at the report launch event and was interviewed by the Australian ABC News. As the United States pivots to Asia, aligning with Australia to prepare for and mitigate climate risks could be an important piece to that strategy. According the report’s authors, while Australia has acknowledged the security risks associated with climate, it could do more. (more…)