U.S. Navy Climate Change Roadmap

On May 21, 2010, the U.S. Navy released a strategy document to address and prepare for the impacts of a changing climate on the naval institution. As stated in the Navy press release, the “Climate Change Roadmap examines the broader issues of global climate change impacts on Navy missions and capabilities.”

According to Rear Adm. Dave Titley, director of Task Force Climate Change and Oceanographer of the Navy, "We must ensure our Navy is fully mission-capable and ready to meet national requirements in the future. That responsibility includes anticipating the impact of changing climatic conditions on mission requirements, force structure and infrastructure."
 
According to the Navy press release, the roadmap lays out a strategy for improving climate change predictions through cooperation with other U.S. government entities and scientific and academic communities.  It identifies as a priority the development of budget investment recommendations for climate change challenges such as protecting vulnerable coastal installments and response preparedness for regions of the world destabilized from climate change. The roadmap also calls for incorporating the national security impacts of climate change into coursework at the Naval War College.

"Climate change will affect the type, scope, and location of future Navy missions, so it's essential that naval force structure and infrastructure are delivered at the right time and at the right cost," states Titley. "That will depend upon a rigorous assessment of future requirements and capabilities, and an understanding of the timing, severity, and impact of the changing climate, based on the best available science."

How you can help: The Senate is set to debate and vote on a climate & energy bill in the final weeks of July or early August (2010). Call your Senators and ask them to vote YES on a climate & energy bill that limits fossil fuel pollution.

Online WWF Resources Regarding U.S. Climate & Energy Policy:

• U.S. Federal Policy section, WWF blog
• Act For Our Future
• What does the Spill have to do with a Climate Bill?

Related WWF Postings:

• 33 Retired General & Admirals Tell Congress: “Climate Change is making the World More Dangerous.” (5 May 2010)
• Climate Patriots (Video) (24 Feb. 2010)
• U.S. military veterans travel to Copenhagen to discuss security threats of climate change (15 Dec. 2009)
• Climate Change Climbs the Ranks in the Pentagon and CIA (14 Dec. 2009)
• Vets Tour Indiana to Highlight Impacts of Climate Change on National Security (21 Nov. 2009)
• Security Implications of Climate Change (5 Aug. 2009)