"The Senate also has yet to confirm a slew of the president’s top political appointees at the Defense Department, including officials who manage acquisition, personnel and readiness, and research and engineering. The tight deadline means that career officials are likely being asked to develop a plan that political appointees will need to implement once they’re confirmed, said John Conger, who oversaw environmental policy at the Defense Department during the Obama administration. "'There’s a degree of urgency coming from the White House: [...]

"That sort of thinking—'Rather than talking about how to protect the environment, but how to protect yourself from the environment,' as Conger puts it—helped to shift the military’s approach to climate change. 'When you start talking about … "How can I ensure I can do my mission?" the enthusiasm level is significant,' Conger says..." Read the full article here: Full Article

"The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, says the climate crisis will drive instability in some global regions. The Defense Department has several climate initiatives underway. John Conger, former principal deputy under secretary of defense (comptroller) and director of the Center for Climate and Security, said one should think of climate change as a factor that interacts with all other threats rather than a separate problem…" Watch the full interview here: Full Interview