We must treat climate change as a security issue. That’s what former military commander Tom Middendorp says. “On a mission I saw how climate change is already affecting security.”
Middendorp attends Austrian World Summit where experts examine relationship between defense and climate crisis. The conference is hosted by Arnold Schwarzenegger, former actor, former governor of California and climate activist.
‘When I was still in the military, I didn’t worry much about the climate. It’s mostly about safety.’
“When I was still in the military, I didn’t worry much about the weather,” Middendorp admits. “It’s mostly about safety. Climate change seems like something far away that others are working on.’
disruptive effect
But during the mission, the former military commander saw how climate change can actually affect security during operations. “You can already see how it has a disruptive effect on societies and how it will therefore also determine our future security environment.”
On the one hand, the Defense must take greater account of the consequences that already exist. “We need to integrate climate impact into our intelligence analysis because it’s a source of future conflicts,” he says. “And we also need to better protect our vital infrastructure, such as ports.”
Double benefit
On the other hand, the military itself can also reduce its emissions. This has several advantages, says Middendorp. “Defense can become more self-sufficient with new technology and reduce its emissions at the same time.”
According to the former commander, there is more and more movement in this area. “NATO has taken it up and the EU is also including the climate crisis in its security policy.”
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
