Recent hurricanes Milton and Helene have highlighted climate change as a pressing national security threat, surpassing traditional adversaries. The Pentagon acknowledges this reality, emphasizing the necessity for deeper reflections on national security that include the impacts of climate change and pandemics. Historical perspectives illustrate how national security has evolved, yet the urgency for modern redefinitions has never been greater.
The recent devastation wrought by Hurricanes Milton and Helene has starkly illuminated the reality that rapid climate change poses a significant threat far surpassing traditional security concerns, such as terrorism. Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc in Florida, and climate scientists universally agree that the intensification of such storms is a direct consequence of the heated oceans resulting from climate change. Following closely on its heels, Hurricane Helene caused severe damage in areas like Asheville, North Carolina, inflicting casualties on a scale that underscores the devastating impact of climate change, killing at least 232 individuals. Addressing climate change as a national security issue is not merely a progressive stance; it is a pragmatic recognition of emerging realities. The Pentagon has explicitly categorized climate change among the primary threats to national security. Three years prior, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin emphasized, “We face all kinds of threats in our line of work, but few of them truly deserve to be called existential. The climate crisis does.” Moreover, key naval installations situated in low-lying regions, such as Norfolk and Virginia Beach in Virginia, are increasingly endangered by rising sea levels, prompting the Pentagon to take action to counter these risks. The phenomenon of climate displacement is already contributing to global instability, as seen currently in conflict-ridden areas like Sudan. Historically, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt embraced a broader viewpoint regarding national security, which encompassed the welfare of American citizens beyond mere defense against foreign attacks. As discussed in Peter Roady’s scholarly work, “The Contest Over National Security,” Roosevelt’s vision included ensuring “freedom from want,” advocating for economic conditions conducive to a healthy, peaceful existence for all individuals globally. This broader definition of national security diminished during the Cold War, narrowing to focus predominantly on defense against competitive threats, a perspective that remained prevalent post-9/11, as articulated in the George W. Bush administration’s 2002 national security strategy, emphasizing the combat against terrorism and tyranny. It is critical to reevaluate and broaden our understanding of what constitutes national security. Beyond climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated another existential danger; its toll of approximately 1.2 million American lives parallels casualties sustained in every war since the founding of the nation. With the burgeoning of global travel, political figures must be urged to prepare for potential future pandemics, as highlighted by the non-partisan COVID Crisis Group’s findings that America remains ill-equipped for another pandemic. The alarming consequences of recent hurricanes may indeed press American politicians towards more stringent measures that address climate risks, such as limiting construction in flood-prone regions. Following the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, it becomes imperative for Americans to reflect on their safety in the face of threats like climate change and pandemics. If the answer is in the negative, a robust public discourse regarding the true dimensions of national security must commence.
The article emphasizes that the unprecedented frequency and intensity of hurricanes and other natural disasters exacerbated by climate change are emerging as paramount national security concerns. With alarming climate change predictions and highlighting historical contexts, it underlines the necessity to redefine national security frameworks to account for environmental threats as well as biological pandemics. Moreover, it draws attention to historical perspectives, particularly from President Roosevelt, expanding on the conception of national security as inclusive of American citizens’ welfare and economic stability.
In summary, the exacerbation of natural disasters due to climate change starkly illustrates a critical dimension of national security that has often been overlooked. The historical evolution of national security priorities necessitates a re-examination of contemporary definitions, particularly in light of the existential threats posed by climate-related phenomena and global health crises. As America faces the impacts of climate change and pandemics, it is crucial to engage in a rigorous and open discourse about these pressing threats to national security and strive towards actionable solutions for enhanced preparedness.
Original Source: amp.cnn.com
