Letter from former U.S. Senator John Warner:

Dear Hampton Roads,

I am proud to have served the Commonwealth of Virginia for 30 years in the United States Senate and, during that time, I was privileged to serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee, including many years as either the Chairman or the Ranking Member.

In this capacity, I gained a keen understanding of the relationship between America’s energy future, the challenges of global climate change, and the potential consequences for our national security – especially as these issues relate to the brave men and women who wear the uniform of our Armed Services.  They are the ones who so often, leave our shores on the orders of the Commander in Chief, and become the “first responders” to assist in humanitarian assistance for victims suffering from the ravages of prolonged drought, water shortages, food shortages, medical shortages, and many other forms of suffering which are the consequence of unexplained, unpredicted, erratic climate changes or energy shortages.

Even greater personal risks may occur when the U.S. sends forces into regions where governments of nations, made vulnerable and fragile by consequences from climatic and energy losses, collapse due to an inability to provide for the basic needs of their population.  Into this vacuum of sovereign control, hostile forces confront our military trying to provide humanitarian relief.

During my last term, many retired senior military officers, and concerned citizens, visited with me to discuss how the United States’ military policy, our energy posture, and climate change were all related. As a result of these conversations, and after a great deal of deliberation, I joined in a bipartisan effort with Senator Joseph Lieberman, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, to introduce the Climate Security Act.  This was the first climate bill ever to be voted out of committee and debated on the floor of the U.S. Senate.

To show further support for our military, in 2008, as Chairman, I joined with (then) Senator Clinton, to pass through the Armed Services Committee, and then on the floor as part of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, legislation directing the Secretary of Defense to begin as a part of the Quadrennial Defense Review, an examination of the roles and missions of our military in contingency operations generated by climatic, energy, and sovereign instability of fragile nations imperiled by shortages of basic life-sustaining necessities.

Since my retirement from the Senate, I have been privileged to work with the Pew Charitable Trusts through the Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate to hold forums and town halls around the country to discuss the national security implications of climate change.  I cordially invite you to join us on the afternoon of October 6th, 2009 at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk to learn more about climate change, energy security and the challenges they present to our national security.  I will be joined in Norfolk by several distinguished guests, including Admiral John Nathman (Ret.), now affiliated with the Center for Naval Analyses.

The forum will consist largely of two panels.  One will explore the national and regional security implications of global warming, and another panel will have local experts and leaders to talk not just about the impacts to the nation at large, but also specifically about the impacts to the Hampton Roads region.

On our agenda will include a discussion about the potential rise of sea level – in the coming years – which could become a severe crisis to much of your region of Virginia.

A formal invitation can be found below and we look forward to seeing you on October 6th to participate in our forum and to learn more about these challenges so critical to America’s future national security.

Remember, those of us who continue to work on behalf of the men and women of the armed forces, be they active duty, reserve, guard or retired, should come together in forums such as this to know what the brave people charged with our defense are doing, and, most importantly, how we can best support them and their families in the future.

Sincerely,

John W. Warner
Former United States Senator

Co-sponsored by the Hampton Roads Partnership