U.S. Admirals, Generals Link Climate Change to National Security
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - President Obama is facing a fight from Republicans in Congress over his battle plan to combat climate change with new carbon pollution standards and investments in clean energy. He's dispatched his top energy adviser to Capitol Hill this eek to rally support. At the same time, he's getting the endorsement of another powerful group - retired U.S. admirals and generals.
"We've been calling for determined American leadership in the area of climate change and energy security and pursuit of renewables because of their security benefit," said Vice Admiral Lee Gunn, one of 12 retired military leaders who are tackling national security issues as part of the Center for Naval Analyses' Alexandria-based Military Advisory Board.
Gunn said the hope is that other world leaders will follow.
"I can tell you as someone who deals frequently with allied governments, there is a thirst around the world for American leadership," Gunn said.
The CNA board calls climate change a likely "threat multiplier" for increasing instability in some of the most volatile regions of the world, and says Obama's plan takes important steps to address it.
