Security Implications of
Climate Change and Energy Policy:
Challenges and Solutions for Europe and America

Sidney E. Dean, Editor

Hampton Roads International Security Quarterly
Volume XIV, Nr. 3 (July 2014)

Energy security and climate change are inextricably linked. Environmental policies have largely shaped energy policy in much of Europe over the past two decades, and to a lesser extent influence energy production in North America as well. Many experts actually recommend environmentally friendly energy sources as an instrument for achieving energy independence. Unfortunately such plans are usually focused on the long-term, and do not factor in disruptive events such as Russia’s recent aggressive posture and attempts to extort political submissiveness by threatening to cut gas deliveries to import-dependent states such as Ukraine and Germany. While the European governments seem to be standing firm against Putin, there remains the potential negative impact on their economies and domestic political opinion.

This issue of Hampton Roads International Roads Quarterly examines the interconnectivity of climate and energy policy, and their common impact on global and national security. Contributions include discussion of the impact of climate change on armed forces composition and operations; climate change’s potential for creating war and conflict; U.S. Government policies for assisting partners and allies in achieving energy independence or diversity; comparisons of U.S. And European energy and environmental policies; pros and cons of environmentally friendly energy policies, with the focus on Europe and North America; and policy discussions to counter the use of energy as a political and economic weapon, as currently observed in the Ukraine crisis but also in the Middle East.