"Serious efforts to address global warming might mean big changes for America’s trade, foreign relations and even defense strategy."
"President Joseph R. Biden on Wednesday said climate change should be regarded as “an essential element of U.S. foreign policy and national security.” That is likely to bring big changes for America’s role in the world.
That the Biden administration has rejoined the Paris Agreement, the global pact embraced by nearly 200 countries to slow down climate change, is only the first step, foreign policy experts say. Taking on climate change will require a reassessment of everything from United States military posture in the Arctic to helping fragile countries deal with the fallout of climate risks.
“It changes defense posture, it changes foreign policy posture,” said John D. Podesta, a former Obama administration official. “It begins to drive a lot of decision making in foreign policy, diplomacy and development policy.”
The White House executive order offered a glimpse of that shift. It directed the nation’s intelligence agencies to assess the risks posed by global warming around the world, and it directs all government agencies to figure out how “climate considerations” fit into their international priorities."
Somini Sengupta reports for the New York Times January 27, 2021.
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