Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin publicly stated on Wednesday that climate change is “a matter of national security”, saying the Pentagon would begin to take the issue into account in its decision making.
Austin released a written statement after a news conference held at the White House with new Special Presidential Climate Envoy John Kerry and National Climate Adviser Gina McCarthy, as well as President Joe Biden signing an executive order on climate change.
Speaking to the State Dining Room media, Biden announced that McCarthy would also head the White House’s Household Climate Policy Office, which is being recently created by his executive order.
“As head of the new office and my National Climate Adviser, Gina will chair a National Climate Task Force, composed of many members of our Cabinet, to provide a governmental approach to the climate crisis,” noted Biden.