2020-03-04
Wednesday, 4 March 2020
Department of Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds have conceded in estimates today there is no plan for the impacts that 4 degrees of warming in Australia will have on the operational priorities of the Australian Defence Force
Australian Greens Peace and Disarmament spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said he was stunned by the admission, given how essential the ADF were in responding to bushfires over the Summer, and the broader role they have played in responding to disasters throughout our region.
"Climate change is the single biggest security challenge we are facing right now, and in the future; preparing our defence force for the impacts - food and water shortages, increasing frequency of disasters and mass displacement of people - must be an absolute priority.
"As droughts, floods, wildfires and extreme weather events become increasingly common, it’s clear that the climate crisis will increase the pressures that lead to violent conflict.
"We need a new approach. It's time to restructure our defence force and invest in the training and acquisitions needed to align with the reality of the climate crisis!
"In that context, military expenditure such as the submarine project and the joint strike fighter program make absolutely no sense. It's time to end these wasteful projects and redirect resources to the areas that our ADF will be called upon in the future to address the reality of extreme climate change."
The United in Science report is predicting 4 degrees of warming in Australia, and an average of 3.4 degrees of global warming, by the end of the century.
Media Contacts:
STEELE-JOHN - Tim Oliver; 0448 316 387