UPDATE: [Here are some stories on the CNA report from BusinessWeek, DefenseNews, and ClimateWire. Additionally, the DOD Energy Blog weighs in, and so does The New Security Beat.] Nice timing by CNA, issuing this new report today by its Military Advisory Board, entitled, "Powering America's Defense: Energy and Risks to National Security." Climate change is tagged as a big national security concern, as it was in CNA's landmark 2007 report. There was a press reception at Newseum this morning, so there's bound to be media coverage later on and tomorrow, which will be a welcome diversion from the Waxman-Markey lulapalooza. But can CNA sustain the buzz beyond the 24-48 hour news cycle? If climate change should be regarded as a true military concnern, then why aren't these guys out more on the climate politics and policy front-lines? That's where the war is being fought. I've just started reading the new report, but a quick scan delivered up these two notable quotes: From retired Air Force General Chuck Wald:
An unstable climate, which is what we're creating now with global warming, will make for unstable civilizations. It will involve more surprises. It will involve more people needing to move or make huge changes in their lives. It pushes us into a period of non-linear change. That is hugely destabilizing.
From former U.S. Army Chief of Staff General Gordon R. Sullivan:
There is a relationship between the major challenges we're facing. Energy, security, economics, climate change"”these things are connected. And the extent to which these things really do affect one another is becoming more apparent.
Why aren't these guys on Fox News, CNN and Jon Stewart? Shouldn't they be regulars at Capitol Hill? On a college circuit tour? Why can't one of them be blogging for Foreign Policy Magazine? Let's go guys, get engaged every day if you want to make a difference.
