The recent devastation caused by two catastrophic hurricanes within a span of two weeks highlights the urgent threat posed by rapid climate change, a menace that has the potential to inflict greater harm on American lives than conventional adversaries like terrorists or authoritarian regimes.
The Destructive Power of Hurricanes
The powerful Hurricane Milton has wreaked havoc across parts of Florida, leaving communities grappling with its aftermath. Climate scientists emphasize that the intensity of such storms has been exacerbated by the alarming rise in ocean temperatures due to climate change. Just two weeks prior, Hurricane Helene had already inflicted significant damage on areas like Asheville, North Carolina—hundreds of miles inland and previously thought to be shielded from the most severe impacts of climate change. Helene’s toll was dire, claiming the lives of at least 232 individuals.
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Recognizing climate change as a national security issue transcends political ideology; it is a pragmatic stance rooted in realism. In fact, the Pentagon has explicitly categorized climate change as a security threat, elevating its status among the array of challenges facing the United States. Three years ago, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin articulated this perspective, stating, “We face all kinds of threats in our line of work, but few of them truly deserve to be called existential. The climate crisis does.”
The effects of rising sea levels and extreme weather events are particularly pronounced at key U.S. Navy bases located in low-lying areas such as Norfolk and Virginia Beach in Virginia, prompting the Pentagon to take measures to address and mitigate these impacts.
Moreover, climate change is contributing to a growing wave of climate refugees, exacerbating existing conflicts around the globe. One striking example is the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has become one of the deadliest wars currently unfolding.
Historically, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had a more expansive view of American national security than is commonly held today, which tends to focus narrowly on protection from external attacks. According to historian Peter Roady, in his book “The Contest Over National Security,” Roosevelt conceptualized national security as encompassing the well-being of all American citizens. This broader understanding is evident in the creation of Social Security—a program enacted in 1935—which is named to reflect its role in safeguarding the lives of Americans rather than merely serving as a welfare system.
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During his State of the Union address on January 6, 1941, as Nazi forces were advancing across Europe, Roosevelt articulated this broader perspective on national security. He emphasized the importance of “freedom from want,” which, when viewed in a global context, signifies the necessity of economic structures that ensure a healthy peacetime existence for all nations’ inhabitants.
However, the Cold War and the ensuing competition with the Soviet Union led to a shift in how national security was defined. This narrow definition focused primarily on the need for protection against threats from competing powers. This framing persisted after the September 11 attacks, with the George W. Bush administration’s 2002 national security strategy emphasizing the need to confront “terrorists and tyrants,” framing national security largely as defense against external enemies.
In light of these experiences, there is increasing pressure on politicians to prioritize serious planning for future pandemics, particularly considering the rapid global travel that can facilitate the spread of infectious diseases. A report from the non-partisan COVID Crisis Group revealed that the United States remains woefully unprepared for potential future pandemics.
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The devastating consequences of the recent hurricanes could serve as a wake-up call for American lawmakers to initiate substantive planning to mitigate the risks associated with climate change. This could include policies such as restricting new developments in flood-prone areas to minimize future damages.
After experiencing the impacts of Hurricane Milton, Americans must contemplate whether they are indeed safer from the threats posed by climate change and pandemics. If the answer is no, then it is time to engage in an earnest dialogue about what truly constitutes national security in today’s complex and rapidly changing world.
The realities of climate change and pandemics require a reassessment of national security priorities. As we face the dual challenges posed by severe weather events and health crises, it becomes imperative to expand our understanding of national security to encompass not just defense from external threats but also the protection and well-being of all citizens in the face of existential risks. Addressing these challenges proactively is essential for ensuring a safer, more resilient future for the nation.
