Watch Live: Congressional Hearing on IRS Scandal

Live Now on TheBlaze Radio: ‘The Buck Sexton Show’

Environment

Top Naval Officer Considers Climate Change Biggest Threat in Pacific

Mar. 13, 2013 11:09am Liz Klimas

A top officer for the U.S. Navy at an event in Cambridge, Mass., last week talking about the current atmosphere in the Pacific region of the world — what with North Korea’s recent threats and potential conflicts between other countries — chose to speak about another looming threat: climate change.

Navy Admiral Samuel J. Locklear Calls Climate Change a Threat in Pacific Region

US Pacific Command Commander Admiral Samuel J Locklear III (R) gestures as he listens to question during a press briefing as he sits next to General Jessie D. Dellosa (unseen) Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, after the annual meeting of the two countries’ mutual defence board in Manila on December 13, 2012. (Photo: JAY DIRECTO/AFP/Getty Images)

As we first brought to you on TheBlaze blog, Navy Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III on Friday told scholars at Harvard and Tufts universities that climate change would be “the most likely thing [...] that will cripple the security environment, probably more likely than the other scenarios we all often talk about.’’

Locklear said in an interview with the Boston Globe the Navy will hold an exercise in May with several Asian countries to run through “what-if” scenarios and that supplies are being collected in strategic locations for potentially catastrophic events.

“The ice is melting and sea is getting higher,” Locklear said, according to the Globe. “I’m into the consequence management side of it. I’m not a scientist, but the island of Tarawa in Kiribati, they’re contemplating moving their entire population to another country because [it] is not going to exist anymore.”

Locklear said they are working with governments to help them understand the potential effects of climate change, saying it is “imperative to kind of get military capabilities aligned” before large populations are displaced from rising sea levels or large natural disasters.

The U.S. Navy is no stranger to climate change discussions. The military branch formed a task force on climate change in 2009. In 2011, a Navy commissioned report by the National Research Council discussed the potential security threats that could come with the effects of climate change.

In a July 18, 2012 photo provided by the U.S. Navy,the guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) and the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) are underway during the Great Green Fleet demonstration portion of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012 exercise. Nimitz took on 200,000 gallons of biofuel in preparation for the Great Green Fleet demonstration during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012. (Photo: AP/U.S. Navy, MC3 Ryan Mayes)

The task forces’ Climate Change Affairs Officer Courtney St. John told NASA last year that the Navy would be prepared for the potential changes global warming could bring its way.

“When people see the Navy is addressing this issue, it may take them by surprise initially,” St. John said at the time. “But once they understand and listen to why we care, they understand it [climate change] is a legitimate concern and they understand why we’re taking a proactive approach to discussing it.”

The Navy has also taken steps to green its fleet in order to achieve energy independence.

t. j.g. K. Smith, right, explains energy-efficient systems aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90) to Navy Secretary Ray Mabus during the U.S. Navy’s Great Green Fleet demonstration. (Photo: AP/U.S. Navy, MC3 Sam Shavers)

Locklear didn’t discount concerns over actual physical conflict between the countries. He noted the prevalence of a number of disputes between countries, including China. He also said the military is keeping a close eye on North Korea’s movements, especially after their recent threats to send a nuclear bomb toward the U.S.

Read more about Locklear’s discussion in the Boston Globe here.

–

Related:

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (121)

Uechi
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 12:10pm
With some exceptions anybody above the rank of Captain is not to be trusted. They care more about their retirement benefits then they do about their men or the Republic they have sworn to defend. Is there any doubt that the Messiah’s administration is neutering the Armed Forces?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Detroit paperboy
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 12:13pm
  Yeah, that’s my biggest concern too…………moron.
  
  Report this comment
- MDECKER
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 12:39pm
  I was thinking the same thing. A little mascara and a pedicure, and this guy might be a little more convincing.
  
  Report this comment
- The_Jerk
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 1:35pm
  Locklear is looking for life after retirement and his ticket on the Democrat ballot.
  
  Report this comment
- The_Jerk
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 2:08pm
  The biggest threat isn’t China amassing a navy. It’s global warming. Surely an Academy grad.
  
  Report this comment
- uncleherbert
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 2:47pm
  What a friggin ediot, being an admiral does’nt mean he is all knowing.
  
  Report this comment
- rp454
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 3:42pm
  Yes. I always look to life long military personnel for advice on scientific matters.
  
  Report this comment
- Chuckji
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 5:29pm
  I am sick of these taking an oath to protect and then do so much damage just to stay on the good side of the Administration
  
  Report this comment
- Verceofreason
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 6:46pm
  That adds so much to the discussion and issue.
  
  Report this comment
- Trigus
  Posted on March 14, 2013 at 9:45am
  I bet he thinks guam will capsize and sink into the ocean too.
  
  Only you can save this Once Great Country, and make it Great Again.
  
  2013 American Patriot Spring, What will you do?
  
  The distinctions between Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, and Independents are no more. I Am Not A Republican, But An American! – Sons of Liberty
  
  Report this comment
- popeye766
  Posted on March 14, 2013 at 10:09pm
  All us shipmates understand how this WH traitor has wrecked our military……best Generals ousted, silly comments from Admirals like this…..as a retired sailor I think its shameful…..worrying about stuff like flooding sometime in the future with all our enemies posturing and beating their chest to us……Iam so glad Iam OUT………these senior officers scare me cause I know their in OBOZOS pocket…. popeye766
  
  Report this comment
Sargeking
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 12:08pm
Mr. Obama has replaced all of our real military commanders with political officers, not leaders but hacks.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- naughtycal
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 12:31pm
  Not only that but they’re advertising our navy as a Global force and NOT THE UNITED STATES FORCE. Gottam our country is being dismantled,our defenses are being sold and everyone is too busy caught up in staying on top of their financial responsibilities to march to our local,state,and federal Government and string these traitors up.
  
  Report this comment
- Verceofreason
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 6:47pm
  Why are y’all even bothering to post?
  It’s all ‘attack the messenger’ drivel.
  
  Report this comment
bankerpapaw
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 12:05pm
Just another of Al Gorezera’s butt boys.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Female
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 12:10pm
  The “WAVES” are affecting his thinking, and too much estrogen in the meat products turn men into girlies. Look at the photo, really femine pose, right?
  
  Report this comment
- crawdad
  Posted on March 14, 2013 at 10:34am
  yeah, apparently forgot his earrings that morning
  
  Report this comment
SpeakSoftlyAndCarry
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 12:04pm
Get a grip on yourself Admiral Samuel J. Locklear…the III. The average elevation of Kiribati is only 6 feet about sea level. Every time a strong wind picks up there, some residents have to evacuate. On second though Admiral Samuel J. Lockear…the III, it sounds like you’ve been gripping yourself too much. How about just retiring already!
http://teamkiribati.com/Country_Facts.html

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Watcher1952
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 12:02pm
Sucking up to Barack Hussein Obama and looking for the next promotion….he isn’t stupid….he knows how the system works……. Jucking Ferk anyway

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
m14guy
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:59am
Want to see a juxtaposition? Watch the movie “The Gallant Hours”. Bull Halsey, for all his faults, was a fighting Admiral. He made some bad decisions but he took the fight to the enemy relentlessly. This POS would not make a good Laundry & Morale officer back in the day but he’s good at “going along to get along”. You are seeing, yet again, another example of the incremental destruction of our military. The flag officer warriors are being forced to retire and the remaining turds float to the top. I would not follow this guy across the street; never mind into the Yellow Sea. Want to bet he’s already lining up a nice consulting gig with a Green company when he retires?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
SpeakSoftlyAndCarry
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:56am
Political correctness and bogus science has done what the Imperial Japanese Navy could not…they’ve destroyed the U.S. Pacific Fleet!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Verceofreason
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 6:49pm
  Don’t fall off the edge of the earth hon, ot
  borrow Ted Nugent’s pants.
  
  Report this comment
NOBALONEY
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:48am
The admiral has just given the green light for mainland China. Pivot has turned into a divot. President Obama is transforming our navy into a band of “green” sea cadets.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
zgomer
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:45am
Just a liberal puppet from the WH so he can be promoted…don’t believe what you read…

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Lloyd Drako
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:37am
Takeaway from most of the above comments: shoot the messenger, always remember to shoot the messenger.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- edcoil
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:45am
  Since the navy is the largest creator on the high seas of pollution, paper waste and food waste, he might as well harbor the fleet to make himself happy.
  
  Report this comment
- Gonzo
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:59am
  We don’t argue that the sea level hasn’t risen Lloyd. We argue that your proposed “cures” for global warming are juvenile.
  
  Report this comment
- Lloyd Drako
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 12:09pm
  You are reading something into my post that is not there. I have no “cure” for global warming. Do you?
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 1:13pm
  Lloyd, clearly sextants and sails are called for. Digital sails and hour glasses.
  
  Report this comment
- Gonzo
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 1:14pm
  As a devout liberal, we all know that you support legislation to curb climate change. Deny it.
  
  Report this comment
- booger71
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 2:05pm
  Maybe the “good” Admiral should stick with just driving the boat
  
  Report this comment
- rp454
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 3:50pm
  Hey LLoyd. If you do a little research, you will find that if you graph the sea level over millions of years, we are just about at the lowest point ever in history. Oh, I forget. Your kind likes to stop looking at the data as soon as you think it proves your point and discard the rest. There is a name for that…. It’s called “junk science”.
  
  Report this comment
- Lloyd Drako
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 5:03pm
  RP454: Are sea levels lower now than they were at the height of the Ice Age, when more of the world’s water was locked up in glaciers? 50,000 years ago, 350,000 years ago, 650,000 years ago, when glaciers covered much of Canada, northern US and Europe, do you suppose sea levels were higher? Sea levels are, however, much lower now than they were in the Paleozoic, in whose warm seas, and among whose mostly invertebrate life forms, you would no doubt feel most at home.
  
  Report this comment
- 13th Imam
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 6:07pm
  Yeah
  Don’t build on the beach.
  
  Report this comment
- Verceofreason
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 6:48pm
  It’s all they have,
  Downright depressing ain’t it.
  
  Report this comment
- rp454
  Posted on March 14, 2013 at 12:04pm
  LLoyd, I believe you just proved my point. The only time sea levels were lower than they are now is during ice ages. Are you suggesting we should try to create another ice age to keep the sea levels down? You people that treat global warming like a religion always fascinate me.
  
  Report this comment
- Lloyd Drako
  Posted on March 26, 2013 at 10:39am
  Nice try, but not good enough. No, I’m not suggesting we create another ice age in order to keep sea levels down. It might not be a bad idea, though, to slow the melting of the ice the planet has left, especially in Greenland and Antarctica. That is, unless you would rather get to work on contingency plans to move the populations of New York, Baltimore, Miami, New Orleans, Galveston, &c, further inland to escape rising seas.
  
  Nor does this concern the homeland alone. Here I find lots of people ridiculing the idea that the Navy should consider climate change a problem. If places like Shanghai, Singapore, Saigon, Bangkok, Calcutta, Bombay, Basra, Alexandria, &c start to go under, do you really think that will not have serious economic, social and political consequences, creating geopolitical ramifications as well as humanitarian emergencies which the Navy will have to deal with.
  
  THINK! Above all, don’t forget to THINK before you react to stories about climate change with prefabricated right-wing squawking points.
  
  Report this comment
Stoic one
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:34am
Pardon my ignorance; I thought the Nimitz was nuclear powered. What does it need 200,000 gallons of “bio-fuel” for? The aircraft??

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Cavallo
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:37am
  Fossil fuel powered sex toys. DADT was repealed.
  
  Report this comment
- garbagecanlogic
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:40am
  S/ONE: Aircraft, aircraft, aircraft. Come on, use your noodle, or else you will sound like a dummycrat.
  
  Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8
  
  The U.N. Out Of The U.S.
  The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
  
  Report this comment
- lookatthefactsjack
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:47am
  The big question is, if the islands of the Pacific are going to go underwater won’t Florida and the Bahamas do the same and Nantucket and New York City. Climate change is nothing new. Remember the Ice Age? it happen all by itself.
  
  Report this comment
- SUNTZU
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:51am
  Biofuel=26.00 per gal.
  
  Report this comment
- Stoic one
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 12:53pm
  LOGIC
  
  I did not serve. I HONOR ALL THAT HAVE. I grew up in the Navy.
  
  And unlike a dumbocrat, who will state as fact they know nothing about, I will risk “embarrassment” and seek correct information from those that I know have said facts…..here
  
  and than I will trust but verify those facts.
  
  Report this comment
...sam
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:26am
look my real concern is this……just what in the heck are they doing about zombies….or big foot and what of those peskey unicorns these are the real dangers facing us today…. get real what a waste of taxpayer money this warming crap is out of hand where is reality? Al effing man bear pig Gore who invented the internet has pulled off the biggest farce ever! he should get the nobel for this…

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Cavallo
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:36am
  Space Aliens.. don’t forget the UFOs. .. oh wait.. they have the Air Force working on that one. The Navy can chase mermaids.
  
  Report this comment
- Dismayed Veteran
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 1:05pm
  don’t forget the Wendigo.
  
  Report this comment
Ironeagle
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:26am
He’s no warfighter, he’s a political flag officer–what a disgrace.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Gonzo
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:39am
  Exactly what I was thinking. That’s probably why he’s had a successful career so far. Our government seems to be more interested in promoting bureaucrats than warriors.
  
  Report this comment
RodT82721
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:24am
Oh good, our Navy is going to take care of climate control. Follow the money!

You know people have been thinking they could change mother nature since the beginning of man. Natives thought they could make it rain by dancing around a fire and chanting. I bet on rare occasions, it did rain in the near future, just giving them faith they could dance and cause rain.

So now we spend billions of borrowed money every year to study the history of our climate, and make long range predictions of the horrors to come in 10, 30, 100 years, yet they can’t predict next weeks weather with any accuracy.
I’m still waiting for one of these greenies to prove they have had any effect on our climate, I mean proven, recurring, effect. Not like the rain dancers of old.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- 13th Imam
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:44am
  Join the Navy, Feel the Luddites
  
  Report this comment
stumpygrim
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:19am
Idiot……..Another educated moron, with no common sense,more worried about his job and rank,than America itself……Seems most military officers have bought and drank the kool-aid,thank God most non-coms havent…..

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- ltb
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:43am
  “My fear is that the whole island will become so overly populated that it will tip over and capsize” — Hank Johnson (D-GA) addressing his concerns to Admiral Robert Willard, Commander of the Navy’s Pacific Fleet, about too many troops being stationed on Guam during a Congressional hearing in April, 2010. And no, he was not kidding.
  
  Report this comment
RightUnite
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:17am
Wow! I’m surprised they allow someone with Alzheimer’s to stay in service!!! Seriously!!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Cavallo
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:17am
Pay no attention to Chinese Aircraft Carriers or nuclear tipped North Korean War Heads.. what is important is Global Cult Warming BS. I bet the Admiral wants to be Gore’s masseuse.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Lloyd Drako
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:34am
  Think about this a little. If you’re going to use 21st century digital defenses against Chinese aircraft carriers or North Korean missiles, you’d d—–d well better know what sea level is and whether it is rising or falling, and why. Otherwise how can you calibrate and deploy your own weapons, taking account of your positioning system, constant recalculation of tidal influences and so on?
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:55am
  Lloyd, why be digital then?
  
  Report this comment
- Lloyd Drako
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 12:13pm
  Fubared: Because the alternative to digital would be to go back to analog devices, such as the ones the Navy relied on at the time of Pearl Harbor. Then, you may recall, the Japanese were forced to modify their torpedoes to operate in shallow water. Today, they wouldn’t have to go to the trouble. There are all sorts of things consequent upon a rise in sea levels which the Navy will have to consider in the future.
  
  Report this comment
- Lloyd Drako
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 12:15pm
  So the Marines didn’t have to take Tarawa after all. All they had to do was wait about 100 years, and all the Japs would have drowned.
  
  Report this comment
TimPatriot
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:16am
What can you say…pretty much a summary of why this nation is such dire shape.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Cavallo
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:14am
t.j.k. K. Smith makes me want to join the Navy. Meow.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
blanco5
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:14am
Bought and paid for….everyone has their price.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- WarMunger_Al
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:20am
  need anymore proof that the military (at least command level) is bought by the liberal dictatorship? It is the kings navy now.
  
  Report this comment
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:14am
Political correct insanity has gone to the extreme once again.

How long will it be until one or more of the nations enemies strike out hard at us and manage to cripple our nation across the board? How long after that will it take Obama to completely surrender the USA to their demands?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
richauthor
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:13am
More proof of the woosification of our military by Choom-boy. Under any real Presient, this wacko would never have reached his high rank.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- richauthor
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:17am
  … President…
  
  Report this comment
gyro
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:13am
has any one got the exact amoung the oceans have risen in last 10 years ?
no?
0?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Lloyd Drako
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:21am
  7 or 8 inches over the last century and a half. It doesn’t sound like much, does it? Unless you live in Kiribati–or lower Manhattan. Go to cmar.csiro.au/sealevel for confirmation.
  
  Report this comment
- Lloyd Drako
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 12:03pm
  Roughly 1.5 of those inches in the last 10 years.
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 1:16pm
  Lloyd where is your solar skience? Why can’t we control the sun yet? Is it an assault sun, or merely a semi-auto solar flare thingy? Is it old enough to have outgrown its spots yet? Why is the name Lloyd so often associated with the word tool?
  
  Report this comment
- Lloyd Drako
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 1:33pm
  F’d: I tried to answer Gyro’s questions. Yours are not worth answering.
  
  Report this comment
SocialistSlayer
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:12am
As retired Navy myself – Trust me – Many of the Admirals are absolute Morons – Kinda of Scary ! They are more politicians that Military.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- glassaudioguy
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:33pm
  You partially stole my thunder. Generals and Admirals get that rank one of two ways- either exemplary skill in warfare, or they’re political appointees. No doubt which one this guy is.
  
  Report this comment
jungle J
Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:12am
The first place the mentally ill infiltrated was law enforcement and the military. Only the sane understand.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.