Elizabeth Warren has a climate change plan — for the military
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) hasn't rolled out a full environmental policy just yet, but she does have one for the American military.
The policy-happy 2020 candidate debuted another plan on Wednesday, this one breaking down how climate disasters recently damaged three U.S. military bases to the tune of billions of dollars. Under her new plan, Warren says she'll direct bases around the world to better prepare for these events, and also push the Pentagon to "achieve net zero carbon emissions for all its non-combat bases and infrastructure by 2030," she wrote in a blog post.
Citing a few national disasters, Warren states that "climate change is already impacting the way the Pentagon operates" in her blog post. Climate disasters are "undermining our military readiness" while also exacerbating the potential for conflict wordwide, like how previously iced-over sea routes may spark international fights for access, Warren continues.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The military is also worsening the climate crisis itself, Warren says, citing how it consumes billions of dollars worth of fossil fuels every year. So Warren is proposing a "dedicated source of funding to adapt our bases in the United States and around the world" for climate disasters, and also pledging to appoint senior officials to monitor environmental efficiency throughout the military.
Warren has signed on to support the Green New Deal and says her military policy is "consistent" with it. Some critics took issue with how Warren's proposal frames climate change as something that's harming the military's mission instead of pledging to cut the massive defense budget altogether. Read Warren's whole proposal here.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
By The Week UK Published
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs say
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign port
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published