Climate Change and Military Planning in the United States

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Abstract

The article examines changes in U.S. military planning approaches in the context of climate threats, focusing on the impact of climate change on national and international security. The author analyzes the evolution of the perception of climate phenomena as a risk, starting with the policies of the Barack Obama administration and including the current measures of the Joe Biden administration. The paper notes that climate change is seen not only as a direct threat to military installations, but also as a factor that can exacerbate social and political tensions, cause migration crises and regional conflicts. One of the key points is the integration of climate risks into the strategic planning of the U.S. Department of Defense, which is reflected in a number of directives and strategies, such as the Climate Adaptation Plan and the Climate Risk Analysis. Particular attention is given to the development of the DCAT geospatial tool that assesses the vulnerability of military installations to climate change. The article also examines legislative initiatives in the U.S. Congress to support DOD's efforts to mitigate climate change and increase the resilience of military infrastructure. Examples of specific measures aimed at reducing green-house gas emissions, developing clean energy, and improving energy efficiency are provided. Special attention is paid to the U.S. Arctic Strategy, which recognizes climate change as a key driver affecting the strategic environment in the region. Strategic documents repeatedly emphasize the importance of interagency cooperation and strategic planning in a changing climate to minimize risks to U.S. military readiness and national interests.

About the authors

N. V Stepanova

Georgy Arbatov Institute for U.S. and Canada Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (ISKRAN)

Email: n.stepanova@iskran.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9594-4431
Scopus Author ID: 57211409957
Research fellow, Department of Military-Political Studies Moscow, Russian Federation

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