US Military and Climate Changes

US Military and Climate Changes

Climate change has been the greatest threat to US national security. Most climate changes are a result of emissions from energy consumption. The American military is the largest energy consumer used to power ships and planes and service overall military functions. Approximately 300000 barrels of oil are used daily for military services (Pew Charitable Trust, 2011). Direct emissions from military ships and planes have led to climate change. Therefore, the military needs to transform how it powers its services to address the climate change problem.

The US defence leadership has addressed climate change through technological innovations such as clean energy innovations that focus on investing in breakthrough technology for military forces, establishing DOD clean energy leadership, and deploying clean energy to protect the infrastructure. Military leaders have major concerns about little dependence on fossil fuels. Soldiers have used solar backpacks that recharge batteries in their communication equipment to eliminate fossil fuel usage. Military leaders have electrified their vehicles and weapons to avoid using fuels emitting gases that contribute to climate change (Sivaram et al., 2021). Though aircraft have become challenging to decarbonize, the DOD energy budget has set aside enough resources to develop hybrid and electric aircraft with low-emission renewable energies.

The US military is the largest consumer of fossil fuels and can lead the country to reduce climatic changes resulting from fossil fuel usage. Through the electrification of military vehicles, aircraft, and ships, there is a possibility of reducing climate change. National Security leaders and military officers have been spearheading the use of clean energy to avoid climate change. Technological transitions in the production of military weapons with climatic considerations have been extended to the commercial transportation industry in producing electrified cars that no longer use oil, thus reducing carbon emissions (Yale Climate Connections, 2019). Additionally, the DOD has extended military services to public and private sectors by deploying megawatts of renewable energy sources, thus reducing carbon emissions that cause climate change.

In summary, military leaders should ensure that military vehicles, aircraft, and DOD facilities are carbon-free. In addition, the climate must be considered when developing military weapons and systems. Clean energy is the solution to climate change.

References

Pew Charitable Trust. (2011). Military Clean Energy Innovation (Links to an external site.). (3:11 mins).

Sivaram, V. A. R. U. N., Bowen, M. A. T. T., Kaufman, N. O. A. H., & Rand, D. O. U. G. (2021). To Bring Emissions-Slashing Technologies to the Market, the United States Needs Targeting Demand-Pull Innovation Policies. Columbia University  SIPA Center for Global Energy Policy. https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/file-uploads/ETMO%20commentary, %20designed%20v2, %201.19.21%20(1).pdf

Yale Climate Connections. (2019, July). A brief introduction to climate change and national security. (Links to an external site.)

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In this discussion, you should be explicit when you take fact and evidence-based positions, draw logical inferences from any data presented or use numeric and graphic evidence from these sources to form your analyses about what is occurring and why. You must draw on and cite evidence from the readings in your initial post, particularly those findings and studies in official governmental publications. Do take care to weigh the evidence you present in your assessment.
Based on your considered review of this module’s readings and your reflection upon the first two modules, evaluate the questions below.
• How has the US defence community addressed climate change and its energy use drivers?
• Do you believe the US military can lead the whole US by significantly changing its energy use to reduce or replace fossil fuels, particularly oil? Why or why not?
Your initial post should be at least 250 words and must substantively integrate the assigned readings with proper APA style formatting.