Nice postive coverage by the BG on Kerry's climate change hearing

[karynnj]

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, convened by Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts, focused on what so far has received only modest attention in the climate change debate: the effect it is bound to have on national defense.

"Addressing the consequences of changes in the Earth's climate is not simply about saving polar bears or preserving the beauty of mountain glaciers," retired Navy Vice Adm. Lee F. Gunn, president of the American Security Project, told the panel. "Climate change is a threat to our national security."

Gunn and other military specialists said that climate change could have broad effects on how the US military operates. It will likely expand the number of humanitarian missions the Pentagon will have to undertake, they said, and even change how it deploys its fighting forces.

< skip - a paragraph for Beachmom - from Kerry's introduction >

I met Secretary Warner when he presented me a Silver Star. Senator Warner became a friend, a colleague for twenty-four years, and one of the true gentlemen of this institution. When he retired and I was awarded his old office, Senator Warner’s gift to his fellow Navy man was a binnacle—a tool that sailors use to point out the right direction and light a path forward. Of course, none of us could ask for a better guide than Senator Warner’s own words and his life of service. I am pleased that he continues to use his extraordinary credibility to speak directly to the American people about the urgency of this issue.
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/07/kerry_panel_loo.html
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link to the hearing -
http://foreign.senate.gov/hearings/2009/hrg090721p.html

(I only saw part of it - but in addition to lots of serious stuff, after Warner demurred that there was little he could say after Lugar's and Kerry's open statements - Kerry said with a grin that they were elected politicians, but he was a statesman so they wanted to hear what he had to say. Warner shot back something about how they should not count him out. Kerry then said he would be happy about that if he followed Senator Specter's example. Warner was amused, but speechless. )

[karynnj]

1. Here's an interesting followup on what Warner is doing - taking the national security message

to the public. http://kcearthnotes.kansascity.com/node/837

"The day before a similar forum was held in St. Louis, Missouri. The intention is to take this town hall “meeting” across the country in order that Americans can better understand the vital connection between climate change, energy needs, and our own security. These are not separate topics with no significant relation to one another.

That climate change will have a serious impact on energy requirements and security was underscored by two of the participants, retired U.S. Senator John Warner of Virginia and former Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn.

Warner was the Republican senator that co-sponsored the short-lived climate bill along with Joe Liberman a couple of years ago. Dennis McGinn is currently the chief executive officer of Remote Reality, an organization that deals with national security and energy issues. He is also a member of the Military Advisory Board of CNA, a nonprofit research firm."