Global Warming is a Security Threat
Global Warming is a Security Threat: Climate change is affecting militaries in many ways—from dealing with natural disasters to facing new challenges in the warming Arctic. Security experts say it’s a risk that can’t be ignored.
Recently, there’s been concern that climate action is being pushed aside. In Europe, defense spending is increasing, and in the U.S., there’s been a step back from international cooperation and environmental promises.
Still, many defense departments have already said that climate change creates serious national security problems. Militaries need to change and prepare for these new threats.
“You can’t avoid this. Climate-change does not care who is president or what political goals you have,” said Erin Sikorsky, who leads the Center for Climate and Security in Washington. “It’s coming, and militaries must be ready.”
Climate Omission
In the U.S., President Donald Trump’s administration removed mentions of global warming from government websites. The latest national security report didn’t even mention climate change.
Sikorsky said this creates dangerous gaps in strategy, especially with China becoming a leader in renewable energy. The Arctic is becoming more important as melting sea ice opens up new shipping routes and access to resources.
“What worries me, as someone who worked in national-security for many years, is that this blind-spot puts the U.S. in danger,” she said.
In Europe, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine made countries more worried about energy security and sped up their move toward renewable energy.
However, in recent months, some countries have cut funding for international development. Raising doubts about their climate budgets as they focus more on defense and trade.
Published in Dawn, 23rd April 2025
