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Veterans: Climate Change Threatening Our National Security

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Learn More

Listen to Grier Martin in a recent radio spot

View Pew's Climate Patriots video

Read Truman National Security Project's report, Oil Addiction: Fueling Our Enemies

Energy Dependence

America is sending hundreds of billions of dollars overseas every year to pay for oil - in 2008 alone, America spent $1.2 billion every day on foreign oil. North Carolina households also pay for this addiction to oil with their hard-earned dollars. In 2008, North Carolina households spent nearly 6% of their annual income, or roughly $2,000 per year, on gas. [NRDC, 2009]

Reducing our reliance on foreign oil and investing in abundant and free sources of clean energy here at home like the sun and the wind will shield American businesses and consumers from volatile energy prices. But the threats to our national security extend beyond our energy costs.

Political Instability

According to a report issued by a panel of top-ranking retired admirals and generals, the first priority for our government should be fully integrating our energy security and climate change goals into national security and military planning. Our dependence on oil leaves us vulnerable to unstable and hostile regimes while simultaneously burdening our military and reducing our combat effectiveness. Additionally, changes in food production, losses of water supplies and massive human migrations could result from unchecked climate change and lead to international competition for life's essential resources. By helping to solve the climate crisis, our country will prevent climate impacts that, as security experts warn, could further destabilize politically vulnerable regions around the world.

No one knows this better than our nation's veterans, which is why many have joined Operation Free, a campaign of veterans encouraging Congress to pass climate legislation to protect our resources and our military.

Rep. Grier Martin and Tom Cors speaking to an audience about the national security threats associated with climate change at the VFW State Headquarters in Raleigh, NCState Representative Grier Martin, a major in the Army Reserves who served two terms in Afghanistan, is leading Operation Free's efforts in North Carolina. He has led groups of veterans across the state and to Capitol Hill, working to educate North Carolinians and our elected officials about the serious national security threats posed by climate change.

If you have served our country and would like to join Operation Free, there are many ways you can help. Please contact us today.

 

Operation Free Veterans for American Power Bus Tour Stops in North Carolina

Veteran members of Operation Free have embarked on an unprecedented 21 state tour to talk to citizens and local community leaders about the looming crisis over climate change and national security. 

The tour brought this compelling message and veteran messengers to North Carolina with stops in Raleigh, Fayetteville, Greensboro, and Charlotte where tour participants met with local veterans and local leaders. Representative Larry Hall, Chairman of the Homeland Security, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee in the NC House, met the tour at the North Carolina VFW Headquarters in Raleigh. In his remarks he stated,

“Today North Carolina, just like states all across this great nation, faces unprecedented economic, national security and environmental challenges. Yet we continue sending billions of dollars to hostile foreign regimes; an action that hurts our economy, helps our enemies and puts our security at risk. Reducing our reliance on foreign oil will keep our energy dollars here in the U.S., where we can invest in local businesses and jobs that are helping our country transition to a clean energy economy.”

Participants at subsequent stops – including NC Representative Rick Glazier, Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson, and former NC Senator Cal Cunningham – echoed Rep. Hall’s message. Local veterans were present at each tour stop supporting the call for action on climate change.

Operation Free bus tours will continue to stop at communities large and small across the US to highlight the importance of acting on climate change and securing our country’s energy future. For more information about the tour, visit the Operation Free Veterans for American Power Bus Tour website

Pictures from NC Stops:

 

 

 
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