National Security Week:
National Security Week will take place during the week of September 7th through September 11th. During this time, several organizations partnering with Operation Free will be sponsoring a variety of events in DC pertaining to climate change as a national security issue. Two main events will be open to the public: The first will take place at the Reserve Officers Association, and will be hosted by the Partnership for a Secure America, the Reserve Officers Association and the CNA Corporation. This event will feature several prominent speakers, including Senator Joseph Lieberman and former CIA Director James Woolsey who will discuss why climate change is such an important national security threat. The second main event will be hosted by the American Security Project and the Elliot School of International Affairs at the George Washington University. This event will feature Senator John Kerry as speaker and will revolve around the threat of climate change to our military operations and economic competitiveness.
SEPTEMBER 8TH
Climate Change, Energy and National Security
We Must Work Together on an American Strategy
The Partnership for a Secure America (PSA), the Reserve Officers Association and the CNA Corporation sponsor a discussion on the national security implications of climate change and America’s energy use. This event will coincide with the release of PSA’s bipartisan statement, signed by 32 prominent Republicans and Democrats, urging the development of a “unified American strategy” that will allow the U.S. to respond to and mitigate the impact of climate change.
When:
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Where:
Reserve Officers Association
One Constitution Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Open to Public?
Yes, must RSVP
E-mail prandato@psaonline.org
Call 202-293-8580
Speakers:
Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Invited)
R. James Woolsey, Director of Central Intelligence 1993-95
Frank Wisner, Undersecretary of State 1992-93, Amb. to India 1994-97
Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn, USN (Ret.), CNA Military Advisory Board
SEPTEMBER 10TH – MORNING
The Day Before: A Conference on the National Security Implications of Climate Change, featuring Senator John Kerry
Hosted by the American Security Project and the Elliott School of International Affairs, the conference will discuss how climate change will impact food shortages, scarcity of resources, mass migration, and the stability of countries and national and international security. Participants will also discuss the implications of climate change as it relates to U.S. military operations and economic competitiveness and announce details about a new American Security Project initiative aimed at analyzing the national security implications of climate change.
When:
8:15 am – 12:30 pm
Senator Kerry will speak from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Where:
The Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University
1957 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20052
Open to Public?
Yes, must RSVP
rsvpesia@gwu.edu
Media can RSVP to Nick Massella at 202-994-3087 or massella@gwu.edu
Speakers:
Charles Glaser, Founding Director, Institute for Security and Conflict Studies, GW
Adil Najam, Professor of International Relations and Geography, Boston University
Ladeene Freimuth, Founder, Freimuth Group, LLC
Bernard Finel, Senior Fellow, American Security Project
Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
SEPTEMBER 10TH – AFTERNOON
Operation Free – Taking the Hill
On September 10, Operation Free will bring 150 veterans from 38 states and the District of Columbia to participate in an event at the White House on the links between climate change, energy, and national security.
The veterans will then meet with Senators to discuss the importance of passing legislation this year that will reduce America’s use of carbon and develop renewable energy.
They will stress that climate change acts as a “threat multiplier” that decreases stability and increases conflict, strains the resources of the armed services by degrading equipment, and forces the military to move or repair bases affected by changing weather or extreme storms.
They will make the case that moves to mitigate climate change – reducing our consumption of oil, making polluters pay, etc. – make us safer and more self-reliant. Such actions will put America back in the driver’s seat, and help eliminate a dangerous dependence on other nations.
When:
1:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Where:
The White House
Senate Office Buildings
Open to Public?
No
For media inquiries, please contact Frankie Sturm at 309-222-5788 or Frankie@trumanproject.org
