The U.S. military has been at the forefront of sustainability practices, particularly in the renewable energy sector, as military base self efficiency is seen as a strategic advantage, and this self reliance speaks to greater energy security. Now, the Pentagon is factoring in climate change into their Quadrennial Defense Review, realizing that the dramatic effects of climate change will create instability and cause conflict.
The report requires each military installation to complete a climate change assessment. According to the report, there are more than 30 U.S. bases that are threatened from sea level rise, and others face threats from severe heat and fire conditions.
The move to a more proactive engagement in assessing the risks will provide opportunities in the geospatial community to analyze and assess the contributing factors, and to help develop adaptation plans. With mandated assessments, the military stands to be at the forefront of applying technology to the problem. Organizations of all sizes will benefit from the tools and methodologies that arise from these exercises, and those contractors that win new work in this sector stand to take the lead in the ongoing need to measure, monitor and manage global change.
Read this story from The Hill for more details.
