WASHINGTON (December 19, 2017) – President Trump yesterday omitted any mention of climate change in his first national security strategy, ignoring his own military leaders (including Defense Secretary James Mattis) and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) he signed into law just last week. The recently signed NDAA specifically calls climate change a “direct threat to the national security of the United States” and requires the Pentagon to conduct a study on the impact it could have on military installations and overseas staff.
The following are reactions from three former U.S. military leaders and current members of the national, non-partisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs).
“While the President failed to mention the very real, and growing, national security threat posed by climate change, his remarks supported the case for a clean energy future to advance America’s economic and security interests. Not only is climate change a critical challenge for our Armed Forces, but innovation on the energy front is central to our military’s modernization and readiness efforts as well as US economic interests abroad. Bottom line: the business case is clear: it’s all about the mission.”
— Vice Admiral Dennis V. McGinn, United States Navy (Ret)
“It is disconcerting to see the initiatives on climate change by the Armed Forces omitted in the president’s comments today. Military and defense leaders and experts are addressing the real dangers posed by climate change to our national security, and deserve our Commander in Chief’s full support. Recognizing the threat of climate change should not be about party affiliation but about ensuring security for our nation at home and our forces deployed abroad.”
— Lieutenant General Norman R. Seip, United States Air Force (Ret)
“Our President’s refusal to acknowledge the clear and present danger climate change poses puts our country at risk. Climate change accelerates instability, threatening global security in the Lake Chad Basin, the Mideast, and other regions. Rather than always deploying our military, we should proactively deploy advanced energy technologies and provide other measures to help those countries reduce instability, increase economic activity, and strengthen their own security. That’s the right thing to do for America.”
— Lieutenant General John G. Castellaw, United States Marine Corps (Ret)
To speak with these E2 members or business leaders in your community on this issue, please contact Michael Timberlake at (202) 289-2407 or [email protected].
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Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) is a national, nonpartisan group of business leaders, investors, and professionals from every sector of the economy who advocate for smart policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment. Our members have founded or funded more than 2,500 companies, created more than 600,000 jobs, and manage more than $100 billion in venture and private equity capital. For more information, see www.e2.org or follow us on Twitter at @e2org.