1, 2002); reversing the commitment to arms limitation
and withdrawal from ABM Treaty (Owens 2009); and
undertaking a massive defense build-up.
Despite U.S. government focus on military power
to combat terrorism, environmental issues still ap-
peared on some policy agendas. The Woodrow Wil-
son International Center for Scholars Environmental
Change and Security Program continued to focus on
environmental security issues. In 2004, NATO joined
five other international agencies on an environmen-
tal security initiative. The U.S. military’s geographic
combatant commands continued to promote environ-
mental security as a regional engagement vehicle to
promote stability and build multilateral cooperation.
In 2007, a highly prestigious Military Advisory Board
completed a study on national security and climate
change. The board, whose executive director was the
Clinton Administration Undersecretary for Environ-
mental Security, Ms. Sherri Goodman, was assisted
by chairman and former Army Chief of Staff, General
(Retired) Gordon R. Sullivan, found that pressing en-
vironmental problems, especially climate change, are
directly pertinent to national security. These findings
were particularly noteworthy because the members
were retired three- and four-star generals and admi-
rals, who had served at the highest ranks of military
leadership (CNA 2007).
While there are signs that interest in the environ-
mental aspects of security is reappearing, one should
not be highly optimistic about its importance in U.S.
government policy. The Obama administration, like
its predecessor, is buried in other pressing matters.
This administration is bogged down with multiple
military incursions, and ongoing terrorism concerns,
as well as responding to numerous popular uprisings
sharon
(sharon)
#1