Commander Corry Juedeman, U.S. Navy, in her chap-
ter entitled, “The Consequential Challenges of Climate
Change,” compels us to consider the U.S. military may
find itself overextended to provide humanitarian relief in
multiple settings. Commander Juedeman posits the ef-
fects of climate change will continue to multiply in the
future, particularly in fragile nation states with an abun-
dance of natural resources of strategic value to U.S. inter-
ests.
Rymn Parson’s “Sustainability and States: Climate
Change and Sovereignty” takes a legal, as well as en-
vironmental approach to migration, whether forced or
unforced, and the abilities for surrounding countries to
sustain a large scale cross-border movement of people.
Parson postulates environmental dispossession leads to
climate migration as a result of a lack of natural resources.
Parson makes a compelling case that international law,
and a state’s sovereign right to control migration, has not
kept pace with large scale emigrations. At issue are the
individual rights of migrating individuals as well as the
authority and obligations of the state, in an international
context, as a result of environmental dispossession.
Colonel Kimberly O’Keefe’s chapter, “Pursuing the
Delta: Maximizing Opportunities to Integrate Sustain-
ability in the Funding Process,” addresses the 2010 Army
Sustainability Campaign Plan as an organizing principle
integrated into missions “to institutionalize sustainability
in doctrine, policy, training, operations and acquisitions.”
While a tall order, anticipated budget cuts will challenge
leaders at all levels to implement sustainability practic-
es. O’Keefe posits many sustainability initiatives can be
achieved through innovative leadership, but argues a tip-
ping point exists if funding is not available.
Colonel Jim Raftery’s chapter, “U.S. Nuclear Energy:
National Security and Sustainability,” examines national
priorities concerning the future of nuclear energy as it re-
lates to energy security, sustainability and independence.
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