Memorandum on Climate Change and National Security
Issued 2016-09-21 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
President Obama issued this memorandum in September 2016 to direct all federal departments and agencies to consider climate change impacts when developing national security plans and policies. The action requires agencies to incorporate climate-related risks into how they think about and prepare for security challenges both at home and abroad.
The memorandum identifies climate change as a growing threat to national security, pointing to effects like extended droughts, severe weather events, rising sea levels, and wildfires. According to the document, these conditions can create food and energy shortages, damage infrastructure, spread disease, and force people to migrate within or across borders. The memorandum states that such impacts can destabilize countries already facing fragility, potentially leading to humanitarian crises and conflict.
This action affects all executive branch agencies, particularly those involved in national security, defense, and international relations. It requires these agencies to factor climate change into their planning and operations, from military readiness and facility management to responding to international humanitarian needs. The memorandum emphasizes that the United States must take a comprehensive approach to addressing climate-related security risks while maintaining international leadership on climate issues.
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Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
This presidential memorandum ("Memorandum on Climate Change and National Security") provides direction to executive branch agencies. The stated purpose: "that climate change-related impacts are fully considered in the development of national security doctrine, policies, and plans." Presidential memoranda function similarly to executive orders but are typically more narrow in scope, addressing specific agencies or implementation details. The President's authority to direct executive branch operations is grounded in Article II of the Constitution.
Memoranda are a routine administrative tool. They guide agencies on priorities, interpretation of statutes, and implementation procedures. As long as they operate within the bounds of existing law and respect congressional mandates, they are a standard exercise of presidential power that every modern administration has used.
Official Summary
Administration of Barack Obama, 2016 Memorandum on Climate Change and National Security September 21, 2016 Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies Subject: Climate Change and National Security By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct the following: Section 1. Purpose. This memorandum establishes a framework and directs Federal departments and agencies (agencies) to perform certain functions to ensure that climate change-related impacts are fully considered in the development of national security doctrine, policies, and plans. Sec. 2. Background. Climate change poses a significant and growing threat to national security, both at home and abroad. Climate change and its associated impacts affect economic prosperity, public health and safety, and international stability. Extended drought, more frequent and severe weather events, heat waves, warming and acidifying ocean waters, catastrophic wildfires, and rising sea levels all have compounding effects on people's health and well-being. Flooding and water scarcity can negatively affect food and energy production. Energy infrastructure, essential for supporting other key sectors, is al