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Climate Resilience is a Matter of National Security
Florida isn’t just the state of sunshine, Disney, and spring break beaches. It also ranks fifth in the U.S. states with the most military personnel and serves as home to three combatant commands (U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Central Command, and U.S. Special Operations Command) along with more than 20 installations. These regions are home to some of America’s most critical national security missions and military facilities.
When you think about states which play a critical role in national security, Florida probably doesn’t come to mind. This military presence not only protects the national security of the country as a whole; it’s a powerhouse driver of Florida’s economy, contributing $96.6 billion annually. In 2022, $30.2 billion was allocated in defense spending to the state, underscoring the national importance of protecting Florida’s military infrastructure and readiness.
Yet a significant threat is putting that readiness at risk: climate change. As Florida’s climate becomes hotter and more susceptible to damaging hurricanes, rising seas, storm surge flooding, and intensifying extreme weather, all of which pose grave threats to the operational capability and asset integrity of these vital military installations. Leaving these risks unaddressed would degrade the operational capability of facilities integral to missions spanning…
