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1 1 (July 12, 2022)

handle is hein.crs/govehnz0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service Informing the legislitive debate since 1914 July 12, 2022 Climate Change and Adaptation: Department of Defense Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has stated that to keep the nation secure, [the Department of Defense (DOD)], must tackle the existential threat of climate change. DOD has released a number of documents outlining how it plans to adapt to and address climate change, including the 2021 DOD Climate Risk Analysis and the DOD Climate Adaptation Plan. Congress may conduct oversight of the implementation of these plans. Congress could also consider examining possible climate risks and assessing possible implications for global security, military readiness and infrastructure, and DOD force structure when considering authorization, appropriations, and other legislation. hrnlicatons of Climate Change for the DOD Directive (DODD) 4715.21, Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience, took effect in 2016 and outlines department policy, roles, and responsibilities related to climate change. The directive defines climate change as variations in average weather conditions that persist over multiple decades or longer that encompass increases and decreases in temperature, shifts in precipitation, and changing risk of certain types of severe weather events. DOD's Climate Risk Analysis report concludes that these variations could produce climate hazards such as sea or glacial ice retreat, rising sea levels, flooding, drought, extreme heat, wildfires, and tropical cyclones. Each of these hazards in turn holds implications for international security. For example, drought could lead to inadequate water supplies and adverse impacts on agricultural production. This could increase competition for, or conflict over, natural resources in affected areas. Flooding could damage critical infrastructure and displace populations, which could in turn cause mass migration or political crises. DOD notes that such hazards could [reshape] the geostrategic, operational, and tactical environments with significant implications for U.S. national security and defense. DOD's Climate Risk Analysis report further notes that as the frequency and intensity of [climate] hazards increase ... [they may] affect the demands on and functionality of military operations, and increase the number and severity of humanitarian crises, at times threatening stability and security. DOD has sought to increase military readiness and may propose changes in military equipment or force structure in anticipation of increased operations due to climate change. For example, extreme weather events could increase demand for humanitarian assistance and disaster response capabilities, while glacial ice retreat could lead to increased regionial competition in the Arctic, with an increase in demand for specialized, cold-weather military equipment for U.S. forces. According to DOD officials, climate change has growing implications for the costs of operating U.S. military installations and associated equipment. DOD maintains more than 5,000 military installations worldwide. Of these, more than 1,700 are in coastal areas and have been or may be affected by sea-level rise or extreme weather events. In 2018, Hurricane Michael caused an estimated $4.7 billion in damage to Florida's Tyndall Air Force Base (with more than 12 F-22 fighter aircraft sustaining damage), while Hurricane Florence caused around $3.6 billion in damages to North Carolina's Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. In 2021, winter storms damaged 694 facilities across four military installations in Texas (Fort Hood), Okahoma (Fort Sill), Kansas (Fort Riley), and Lousiana (Fort Polk). Some analysts have argued that rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and other climate-related factors could impact transportation routes, port infrastructure, or manufacturing facilities, which could in turn affect both commercial and military supply chains. DOD Clinate Adaptation Planning DODD 4715.21 defines climate adaptation as an adjustment in natural or human systems in anticipation of or response to a changing environment in a way that effectively uses beneficial opportunities or reduces negative efforts. DOD's Climate Adaptation Plan builds upon previous DOD climate change-related policies to ensure the DOD can operate under changing climate conditions. The adaptation plan outlines five lines of effort (LOE): 1. Climate-informed decision-making based on climate assessments; 2. Train and equip a climate ready force able to operate in extreme weather conditions; 3. Infrastructure to support military operations under changing conditions; 4. Supply chain resilience and innovation in austere locations; and 5. Enhance adaptation and resilience through collaboration with other federal agencies, Congress, U.S. allies and partners, and other stakeholders. These LOEs and related enablers, such as monitoring and data analytics, constitute DOD's Climate Adaptation Strategic Framework.

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