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The Securitization of Climate Change: Australian and United States' Military Responses (2003 - 2013)

  • Book
  • © 2017

Overview

Authors:
  1. Michael Durant Thomas

    1. School of Humanities and Social Science, Australian Defence Force Academy, University of New South Wales, Canberra, Australia

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  • Offers a rare and systematic examination of military climate policy by a military officer
  • Identifies a divergence of Australian military climate policy from that of the US military
  • Develops a unique method that quantifies climate security, enabling a graphical representation for quick and ready reference ideally suited to policy makers
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: The Anthropocene: Politik—Economics—Society—Science (APESS, volume 10)

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Table of contents (8 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxiv
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  2. Introduction

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
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    2. The Strategic Dissonance of Australia’s Climate Security Response

      • Michael Durant Thomas
      Pages 3-20

  3. Climate Security: The Physical and Policy Basis

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 21-21
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    2. Climate Security—The Physical Basis

      • Michael Durant Thomas
      Pages 23-46

    3. Climate Security in Europe, the US and the UN Security Council

      • Michael Durant Thomas
      Pages 47-71

  4. Case Studies in Climate Securitisation

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 73-73
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    2. Case Study Aim and Method

      • Michael Durant Thomas
      Pages 75-82

    3. Climate Security Case Study: Australia

      • Michael Durant Thomas
      Pages 83-151

    4. Climate Security Case Study: United States

      • Michael Durant Thomas
      Pages 153-216

    5. Climate Securitisation in the US and Australia: Discussion

      • Michael Durant Thomas
      Pages 217-254

  5. Conclusion

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 255-255
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    2. Conclusion and Outlook

      • Michael Durant Thomas
      Pages 257-260

  6. Back Matter

    Pages 261-295
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Keywords

About this book

This book examines how the armed forces of the United States and Australia have responded to the threat posed by climate change to national security. Drawing on established securitisation frameworks (‘Copenhagen’ and ‘Paris’ Schools), the author uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques to systematically examine more than 3,500 speeches, policies and doctrinal articles since 2003. Importantly, the author undertakes an examination of the intersection between the political and the military spheres, probing the question of how ideology has influenced the military’s uptake on the issue. In this context, the author identifies the difficulty of an ostensibly apolitical institution responding to what has become both a hyper-political issue and an unprecedented security threat. A close examination of the key political actors – their intent, outlook and political mandate for broader climate action – is therefore crucial to understanding the policy freedom and constraints within which military leaders operate. The book consists of eight chapters divided into four parts, focusing on: perspectives and methodological insights; empirical case studies; case study comparison; and concluding observations.


• Offers a rare and systematic examination of military climate policy by a military officer from Australia
• Identifies a divergence of Australian military climate policy from that of the US military during the Obama Administration
• Develops a unique method that quantifies climate security, enabling a graphical representation for quick and ready reference ideally suited to policy-makers


Authors and Affiliations

  • School of Humanities and Social Science, Australian Defence Force Academy, University of New South Wales, Canberra, Australia

    Michael Durant Thomas

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