The World’s Militaries Aren’t Ready for Climate Change

Sep 22, 2022 | Erin Sikorsky
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As the war in Ukraine continued this summer, with billions of dollars’ worth of military aid pouring into Kyiv from its allies and partners, governments around the world were also busy deploying their militaries to deal with a less conventional threat: climate change.

Although many governments acknowledge the security risks that climate change poses, this summer’s scramble to manage climate threats suggests few are moving quickly enough to take action. Do their security strategies reflect the increased threats they face on the ground? Do they have the resources needed to match the intensified pace and scale of these hazards? And do they have the right partnerships with other countries to manage shared risks?

Governments and militaries can start to find answers to these tough questions by taking stock of the lessons learned from their experiences and comparing notes among regions. In doing so, they can identify opportunities to shift their approaches.