Pentagon Faces Backlash Over Plans to Cut Climate Programs

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defends the move, while experts warn it could harm military readiness and national security.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that the Department of Defense (DOD) is not focused on 'climate change,' emphasizing warfighting and training as its core mission.
The DOD, in collaboration with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), plans to cut climate-related programs, citing them as wasteful spending.
Experts and officials argue that such cuts could compromise military readiness, citing examples like extreme weather affecting training and infrastructure resilience.
Critics highlight the potential long-term national security risks, including reduced global influence and adversaries like China exploiting gaps in climate-related partnerships.
Programs targeted for cuts include academic research on climate impacts and initiatives to bolster military installations against extreme weather events.