Climate Measures Adopted In Defense Bill

Last week, the House Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2500).  During floor deliberations of the bill, several amendments that improve climate consideration and resiliency efforts within the Department of Defense (DOD) were submitted. CCL circulated a vote recommendation asking Representatives to support several of these amendments, which  included:

• Escobar #327 (EB4): This amendment requires the DOD to include its climate-related mitigation and recovery costs as part of its annual budget process. Climate impacts are occurring now across the United States, and the DOD should include these costs in their planning. 
• Johnson #318 (EB8): This amendment requires the climate vulnerability and risk assessment tool to be updated by the Secretary of Defense with coordination and consultation with relevant agencies. Climate change is a known threat multiplier and accurate and current data should be used when assessing its effects.
• Blumenauer #427 (EB2): This amendment improves flood risk assessments for military construction projects by including current and future mean sea level changes. Flooding will continue to cause damage, and mitigating risk and being more resilient is important for the DOD.
• Crist #487(EB4): This amendment takes into account sea level rise projections and future flood risk when creating guidelines for energy and climate resiliency at military facilities. Sea level rise is occurring now, and the military should mitigate risk through using the latest data.