The Pentagon, Climate Change, and War

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The military has long recognized climate change as a reality, with some officials warning of potential climate wars. Simultaneously, the U.S. Department of Defense is the largest energy consumer in the country and the top institutional greenhouse gas emitter globally. This insightful book by Neta Crawford examines the U.S. military's increasing energy consumption and advocates for a rethinking of foreign policy and military doctrine. She argues that breaking the connection between national security and fossil fuels is essential. The U.S. economy and military have established a persistent cycle of economic growth tied to fossil fuel dependency, which has influenced military doctrine and the mission to secure Persian Gulf oil over the past fifty years. Despite acknowledging climate change, the military has been reluctant to report its greenhouse gas emissions. Crawford explores the concept of climate change as a "threat multiplier" in national security, asserting that the risks from climate change outweigh those from losing access to Persian Gulf oil or most military conflicts. She provocatively suggests that reimagining U.S. grand strategy could effectively reduce military emissions by allowing for a decrease in military size and operations.