Climate Change and the Department of Defense

     Forbes published a great article about the military's position on Climate Change.  It was enlightening and reinforced everything that I have learned over the past 6 years as I have studied, researched and discussed Climate Change in school, with my peers and here on this blog. When I think back to my first political memories, I immediately think of 1981 when the hostages were released from Iran. My dad took us to Suitland Parkway in PG County near Andrews Air Force Base and we waved yellow ribbons as the buses drove by, bringing those people back home. I didn't understand it then, but there are many who believe that the hostages were released because Ronald Reagan took office. And, historically, Republicans were bigger supporters of the military then Democrats.

     Which is why what's happening now with the debate to address Climate Change is so dumbfounding. Congress, now controlled by the GOP, is in direct conflict with the military's recommendations about how to address Climate Change. The former political allies are not only not on the same page, they are reading from different books, in different schools, on totally different planets! Read the Military's report National Security and the Accelerating Risks of Climate Change to see where the military stands, if you read Lester Browns book "Plan B: 4.0", much of it will sound familiar. The report illustrates, without directly stating, that Congress is letting politics interfere with an environmental issue that has global repercussions and threatens National Security. General Gordon Sullivan was spot on when he said:

     "People are saying they want to be perfectly convinced about climate science projections...But speaking as a soldier, we never have 100 percent certainty. If you wait until you have 100 percent certainty, something bad is going to happen on the battlefield." (Conca, 2014)

     Science works under the same principles. There is never 100 percent certainty in scientific study. There are always factors and details and situations we can not address, understand or even predict. But 97 percent certainty in Science, and in Military evaluations, means its time to act. Not only will our eco-systems, our culture and society be affected, but our National Security is being threatened as well. The military sees this. But the newly elected Congress does not. Isn't National Security high on the GOP list of importance?

Source: United States Navy

     I have gone on record many times claiming that I have nothing against conservatives or Republicans. I may not agree with people's ideas and positions on certain issues, but thats what makes the world go around. Debate is healthy in a democracy. However, I do have an issue with the current leaders in Congress due to their blatant disregard for well supported and accepted science that will have major impacts on this country and the world. Ronald Reagan, George HW Bush, John McCain... even Newt Gingrich!! All of them regarded Climate Change as a growing threat that needed to be addressed with Carbon limits and cap and trade. McCain and the rest of the GOP changed their tune after the 2008 elections and have taken up the opposite stance ever since. Why? Is it for Oil money? Is it to sabotage President Obama's presidency? Is it to get back at the Democrats, who failed to pass cap and trade legislation back in 2008 after it had passed the House? (Berman, 2014).

     Throughout my life, Republicans have backed the military and pushed other things aside in order to fund it. The two were in lock step, working together for what they thought was right, to protect America's interests and keep Americans safe, at home and abroad. But, since 2008 when the GOP flipped on the issue of Climate Change, the two are at opposite ends of the argument. One one side you have Big Oil and Big Coal and the GOP. On the other you have the Environmentalists, the Democrats and the Military. Does anyone else find this the least big surprising surprising? Does it concern you that the current congressional leaders have stuck their heads so far in the sand on this issue that they are now even ignoring the military brass that they used to rub elbows with? What reason could congressional leaders possibly have to suddenly take a 180 degree turn and pit themselves against the military that they once were so aligned with?

     Times certainly do change. Tree-huggers and soldiers fighting together. Who would have thunk it? I must admit, I like having the military on my side on this one. After all, they have a plan for what to do when things go to hell in a hand basket on this planet. Which is important, since we're gonna need one.


Sources:

Conca, James. "Does Our Military Know Something We Don't About Global Warming?" Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 14 Nov. 2014. Web. 15 Nov. 2014. http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2014/11/14/does-our-military-know-something-we-dont-about-global-warming/

CNA Military Advisory Board, National Security and the Accelerating Risks of Climate Change (Alexandria, VA: CNA Corporation, 2014) 

Berman, Russell. "The Angry GOP Backlash to Obama's Historic Climate Accord." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 12 Nov. 2014. Web. 15 Nov. 2014. http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/11/the-angry-gop-backlash-to-obamas-historic-climate-accord/382676/     

Bill Nye...Gotta Love This Guy!

Bill Nye weighed in on the China-US Climate Deal and what he thinks of Senator Inhofe's position.



    You go, Bill Nye. I'm with you.

Musical Interlude

Woo ah, mercy mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no no
Where did all the blue skies go?
Poison is the wind that blows from the north and south and east

Woo mercy, mercy me, mercy father
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no no
Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our seas
Fish full of Mercury

- Marvin Gaye



Photo my Joel Sartore via National Geographic, October 2010

Only Nixon Can Go To China

     The big news out of the talks in China is the climate agreement President Obama reached with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. China and the USA agreed to lower CO2 emissions by 25-30% by 2030 and 2025, respectively. Senator Mitch McConnell jumped up on his bipartisan soapbox soon after and offered up this gem.

     "...this unrealistic plan, that the President would dump on his successor, would ensure higher utility costs and far fewer jobs."  Mitch McConnell (R)-KY  Washington Post November 12th, pg A1

     Man! I guess the GOP wasn't kidding about rolling back progress to force their agenda on the world. Not only did President Obama get China to come to the table on reducing pollution, they agreed! Anytime China agrees to something, its big fucking news! Everyone knows that! Leave it to our new Congressional leaders to shit on such an historical event. I imagine if a Republican president was in office, they would be touting him as all powerful. A Republican President would be idolized and worshipped regardless of whether he was ineffective, corrupt and paranoid in reality. If you don;t believe me, look up Richard Nixon.

If It's Not Scottish, IT'S CRAP!

     God I love the old SNL. That Mike Myers bit when he's the Scottish dude? Too Funny. Which is why I couldn't help think back to that skit when I heard what Scotland did in October. No, they did not secede from the UK, but they did make enough wind energy last month to power over 3,000,000 homes. Think of all the haggis you could serve at night!

     Now imagine wind turbines dotting the American Mid-west, complete with battery storage facilities and transmission lines. That could power more than a few homes. Think of all the Apple Pie we could bake at night, in the winter, when its 5 degrees out. If you're doing the math, you'll realize its a crap-ton.

     I love stories like these because they cast doubt on those who claim that Wind and Solar are unreliable, ineffective and cannot power our needs. Countries like Germany, The Netherlands, the UK and Scotland have been proving that line of thinking incorrect for awhile now, but especially in 2014. Its hard to watch America fall behind. But, that is what it seems is happening. Politicians and Oil execs put down the Renewable sector, and then a country goes and shows the reality is in stark contrast to their proclamations.

     Call it my inner scoffer. Anytime I can see some blowhard say something ridiculous and self-serving, only to get shot to pieces by tree-huggers like me, well...I just get all giddy. If they had their way, we'd still be dumping poisonous chemicals in New Jersey and spraying DDT all over the place in the name of "progress". I like my progress without endocrine disruptors and heavy metals, thank you. I'll substitute those for vitamin D and fresh air. And, hold the carcinogens.

Did You Know?

It seems like the people who completely freak out about the very natural act of a woman breast feeding where she has to...

... are the same people who don't give two shits about the unnatural acts that pollute the environment when we don't have to. 

Am I the only one who thinks that's backwards?