How NATO Should Prepare for Climate Change

Jun 8, 2021 | Alexander Verbeek
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Two weeks before the NATO summit on June 14, a coalition of civil society organizations presented their views on climate action for the security organization. A few years ago, this would have been very activistic, and the recommendations would likely not have gotten much attention. But 2021 seems to be on track to become a good year for climate action, which is good news that gives a little bit of hope in a year that, according to the IEA, will show the second-highest increase ever in the emissions of greenhouse gasses.

Today, the good news was that the Biden administration announced suspending oil and gas drilling leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge that the previous administration had issued. The media, meaning the quality media that I follow, is still willing to write mostly positively about Biden's environmental policies. I noticed that today's announcement got more coverage than the recent criticism he received for legally defending a significant drilling project elsewhere in Alaska. President Biden also didn't block the Dakota Access oil pipeline and even supported Trump's decision to grant oil and gas leases on public lands in Wyoming. These decisions seem at odds with the recent report by the International Energy Agency that calls for an end to coal, oil, and gas development to reach net-zero in 2050. 

But still, what a change compared to just one year ago. Even though there are decisions to criticize, the U.S. develops a climate action strategy, mainstreams these in most of its policies, and is eager to work with other international partners.