In 2013, a US Department of Defense (DoD) concluded that “the effects of climate change will adversely impact military readiness and natural and built infrastructure unless these risks are considered in decisions”. It said that planning, design, and operations of military facilities must consider future climate conditions. It should also be factored in making strategic infrastructure decisions across military services. The country’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change, and the geographical disposition and location of PA’s vital installations highlights the need for similar studies to be conducted, and for immediate actions to be undertaken. However, the PA has yet to consciously develop sustainable and environment- friendly installations and facilities, and build and operate camps that has a sustainable waste management system, efficient and effective energy management system and a system to manage its vital resources like water and forest reserves.
Climate change poses serious security risks to critical military installation of the PA. It threatens the mission, resources and capabilities of the installation as well as the operations, readiness, and strategies of its tenant units. The mandates, tasks and functions of the forces that the installation hosts, especially the combat and combat support or sustainment units are vulnerable to its effects.
Climate change has significantly altered the way military operations and warfighting as a whole is being conducted, hence, the need for an immediate review, revalidation or revision of doctrines to fully- integrate the role of military installations in operations. The increasing frequency of climate change-induced disasters requires PA’s more vigorous participation in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) Operations thus underscoring the need to have a thorough look into its doctrine on the proper employment, deployment, safety and security of its assets for HADR.
Climate change compels the PA leadership to implement measures to secure its assets such as personnel, equipment and facilities against disasters, and prods them to develop and implement effective ways to preserve and protect the environment. It affects the decision-making ability and morale of combat leaders especially those who are exposed to adverse weather conditions. However, its effects are more significantly felt by soldiers whose health, morale and welfare put on the line every time extreme weather events occur.
Installations are heavily dependent on civilian utilities and infrastructures which puts them in jeopardy whenever extreme weather events occur. When resources such as water and energy are compromised, other installation assets are affected as much. Prolonged dry spells induce water scarcity which causes the deterioration of living conditions, and creates stress and tension among personnel. Power outages demoralize households and compromises daily operational activities.
Nonetheless, the environmental awareness and consciousness of the military has also increased due to the increase in climate change awareness. Military activities particularly training and operations disturb and damage the natural ecosystem. Ammunition and explosives residue contaminate soil and water bodies. Noise generated during training triggers stress in humans and animals alike. Massive use of heavy equipment and vehicles causes soil erosion and enormous carbon emission to the environment. Solid wastes and chemical residues produced or emitted during these activities pollute the environment.
The PA remains, and will continue to be vulnerable to the different security risks posed by the effects of climate change. Hence, it needs to immediately assess the impact of climate change, and manage the security risks it poses to the organization. Current efforts and interventions, and environmental protection and preservation initiatives such tree-planting/growing, clean and green, implementation of “Carless Day”, closing down and banning open pit dumping and burning, installation of solar lamps, and implementation of Solid Waste Management System and establishment of Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) must be enhanced and sustained.
The PA may look at the feasibility of implementing a Net Zero Program to manage its utilization of water and energy, as well as the disposal of its wastes. Perennial water shortage prompts the organization to develop alternative sources of water and innovative water-generating technologies for its installations. Water conservation measures and efficient water use must be implemented in all tenant units and households. Water re-use and recycling in offices and households shall be promoted. The organization must also study, design, develop and implement rainwater harvesting system, and plan for a suitable wastewater treatment facility inside its bases. It needs to conduct relevant studies and develop strategic approaches to manage its energy usage in all military installations, and implement viable energy conservation measures such as replacing old lighting fixtures with modern, energy efficient ones. Old “electricity-hungry” equipment must be replaced gradually, while installation of solar lamps and other proven energy saving systems inside camps must be pursued. The feasibility of establishing a solar energy plants inside military reservation areas must be considered.
Absolute ban on non-environment compliant public transport system inside camps such as jeepneys and tricycles must be implemented. To reduce carbon emission, old military vehicles must be gradually phased out, while use of electricity-powered vehicles inside camps should be promoted. Efficient transport system to minimize trip generation should be designed and implemented. Anti-smoke belching campaign must be seriously implemented, while non-motorized transportation such as cycling and walking should be encouraged and incentivized. The installation’s power infrastructure designs should be improved by using climate change resilient materials. Transmission lines may be reinforced, re-directed or redesigned to reduce energy loss and decrease chances of being damaged during disasters. Moreover, the PA shall develop and implement formal asset management approaches that incorporate effects of climate change and other environmental factors.
The implementation of the Solid Waste Management System must be sustained in collaboration with the local government unit. Special hospital MRFs must be put up and secured to avoid hospital wastes and other hazardous materials from leaking into the open environment. Appropriate Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with suppliers for the collection and disposal of hospital wastes and other heavy pollutants shall be pursued to compel suppliers and contractors to be responsible for collection and/or recovery of waste materials and residues of the products that they sell to the PA.
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[i] With excerpts from the author’s MRR: A Strategy to Manage the Climate Security Risks of Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation
The PA may look at the feasibility of implementing a Net Zero Program to manage its utilization of water and energy, as well as the disposal of its wastes. Perennial water shortage prompts the organization to develop alternative sources of water and innovative water-generating technologies for its installations. Water conservation measures and efficient water use must be implemented in all tenant units and households. Water re-use and recycling in offices and households shall be promoted. The organization must also study, design, develop and implement rainwater harvesting system, and plan for a suitable wastewater treatment facility inside its bases. It needs to conduct relevant studies and develop strategic approaches to manage its energy usage in all military installations, and implement viable energy conservation measures such as replacing old lighting fixtures with modern, energy efficient ones. Old “electricity-hungry” equipment must be replaced gradually, while installation of solar lamps and other proven energy saving systems inside camps must be pursued. The feasibility of establishing a solar energy plants inside military reservation areas must be considered.
Absolute ban on non-environment compliant public transport system inside camps such as jeepneys and tricycles must be implemented. To reduce carbon emission, old military vehicles must be gradually phased out, while use of electricity-powered vehicles inside camps should be promoted. Efficient transport system to minimize trip generation should be designed and implemented. Anti-smoke belching campaign must be seriously implemented, while non-motorized transportation such as cycling and walking should be encouraged and incentivized. The installation’s power infrastructure designs should be improved by using climate change resilient materials. Transmission lines may be reinforced, re-directed or redesigned to reduce energy loss and decrease chances of being damaged during disasters. Moreover, the PA shall develop and implement formal asset management approaches that incorporate effects of climate change and other environmental factors.
The implementation of the Solid Waste Management System must be sustained in collaboration with the local government unit. Special hospital MRFs must be put up and secured to avoid hospital wastes and other hazardous materials from leaking into the open environment. Appropriate Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with suppliers for the collection and disposal of hospital wastes and other heavy pollutants shall be pursued to compel suppliers and contractors to be responsible for collection and/or recovery of waste materials and residues of the products that they sell to the PA.
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[i] With excerpts from the author’s MRR: A Strategy to Manage the Climate Security Risks of Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation
