Can (or Should) the Military Address Climate Change? Former PACFLT Commander Admiral Scott Swift, USN (Ret.) on Climate Change and Climate Migration as a National Defense Issue

The Burn Bag is collaborating with the Climate Migration Council to conduct several episodes on the security risks surrounding climate change, amidst severe heat and climate-related crises that are gripping the country and the world.

This week, A'ndre spoke with former PACFLT Commander Admiral Scott Swift, USN (Ret.) on how we can view climate change and climate-driven migration through an operational defense lens. Admiral Swift provides his takes on why climate change is a national security issue, but explains why he doesn't believe it's not simply a defense issue. We discuss the Admiral's experience as PACFLT Commander and how climate issues intersected with his own military service, and open up a conversation on whether climate change impacts force posture and defense readiness. Admiral Swift talks about how we can apply a war-footing mentality to the fight against climate change, and why some governments have not yet taken effective action. We talk about the importance of climate-driven migration and the Admiral shares why he thinks the displacement of populations can de-stabilize countries around the world, and why the Admiral fears a 'Pearl Harbor' moment may be what forces ultimate action on this issue.