Christopher W.

Fleming
Professor Corrie Byrne
English 1010
April 14, 2014

Rebuttal Argument Essay: War on Global Climate Change

Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III claims that global climate change is the most imposing threat in the
Pacific Ocean rather than military threats found from other countries. This piece of information from
Admiral Locklear deserves the attention of the American people, because Admiral Locklear is putting
global climate change and its effects ahead of the safety of the American people from other military
powers. Admiral Locklear's claim is flawed for these reasons: he is neglecting current affairs with nuclear
threats from North Korea, conflict between China and Japan, and he is putting the safety of the
American people second to helping other countries from the threat of global climate change.
According to Admiral Locklear, global climate change in the Pacific Ocean is a much more daunting
threat to the United States military based in the Pacific, rather than other military threats. Locklear
states that climate change will, "cripple the security environment, probably more likely than the other
scenarios we all often talk about."(Ackerman) The Admiral also mentions how the Pacific Ocean and the
long-term threats to the peace of East Asia, is found at the center of the Obama Administration's
defense strategy, and that protecting these regions from climate change threats should be the top
priority. Locklear's forces again and again have to respond to the disastrous weather occurrences that
are growing more constant as the Earth's climate continues to change.
Admiral Locklear clearly states that global climate change will, "cripple the security environment,
probably more likely than the other scenarios we all often talk about."(Ackerman) He is saying that
climate change is more of a detriment to our national security than other scenarios frequently talked
about in the news today, such as the ongoing talks of nuclear threats from North Korea and other
military threats such as China. Many groups within the government show reluctances towards climate
change as a national security threat, an example is the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2012 the CIA
closed its short-lived global climate change office after it was criticized for drawing too much of the
agency's attention and resources away from more urgent threats. In doing this even the CIA
demonstrates that there are more pressing needs, rather than climate change, to the national security
of The United States. Such pressing needs include the growing tension between North and South Korea,
and also China and Japan, but it seems as though Locklear would rather prioritize threats caused by
global climate change over daunting needs such as these.

Although climate change can be found at the heart of the Obama Administration's defense strategy
in the Pacific and East Asia regions, it is not the most daunting threat. Nor is global climate change ever
mentioned in the Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense, issued by the
Department of Defense. Although it is mentioned that maintaining a good relationship with the Pacific
and East Asia regions is a priority, it never mentions specifically prioritizing the protection and assistance
to those regions as the top priority. Admiral Locklear seems to think that it is the United States military
forces' primary priority to fight against global climate change and assist the countries affected by global
climate change found in the Pacific and East Asia regions. But he cannot say that the Defense Strategy
from the Obama Administration says that it is top priority, over other military priorities.
My stance is that even though global climate change is a threat, it is not the most eye opening. The
primary mission of our military should be to defend our country against imminent threats, such as the
growing tension between North and South Korea and also China and Japan. Whether the threats from
other military forces are ongoing or not, the safety of the American citizens should come first. But even
though our military's primary mission should be to defend our country against imminent threats by
other countries, it is also important to take other factors into consideration. Such as the fact that the
United States military also saves lives, helps the less fortunate, and assists other countries that are more
hard ridden then the United States. The stance of Admiral Locklear makes sense to an extent. As a
citizen of the United States, I would like to think that our country is willing to help other countries in
their times of need, including in dealing with the oncoming dangers of climate change in the Pacific and
East Asia regions. But the assistance to other countries must come second in priority to the safety of the
American people. Therefore, I believe the correct stand on the issue is found in a middle ground and
more of a compromise rather than a complete disagreement on both sides. The reason for compromise
is due to the statement issued by the White House in the Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for
21st Century Defense. Strengthening our nation's relationship with the countries found in the Pacific
and East Asia regions is of importance, and will only benefit our country economically and politically if
not more, by promoting trade between countries and to continue to promote ourselves as allies to the
region. The latter being of extreme importance as the nuclear threat of North Korea grows stronger.
If the war against climate change and its threats is prioritized over the imminent threats of other
military forces, as Admiral Locklear is suggesting, than the United States may become open and more
susceptible to attacks from other militaries or terrorist groups. A telling example of this would be if
North Korea decided to nuke South Korea, or if China and Japan go to war over the Enaku/Diaoyu
islands. But we should not worry, for we should know that we have placed military leaders with
extensive experience in place to lead our armed forces, and we should have faith in the military
leadership to make the right choices to protect our nation's security. As Ronald Reagan put it best,
"Government's first duty is to protect the people,"



Bibliography

Ackerman, Spencer. "Climate Change Is the Biggest Threat in the Pacific, Says Top U.S. Admiral |
Danger Room | WIRED." Wired.com. Conde Nast Digital, 09 Mar. 0013. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
Bender, Bryan. "Chief of US Pacific Forces Calls Climate Biggest Worry." The Boston Globe. The
Boston Globe, 09 Mar. 2013. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
Obama, Barack H. "Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense." Defense.
Department of Defense, Jan. 2012. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.