The environment is important to the military

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The relationship between security and the environment is becoming increasingly important in world politics and Secretary for Defence Dr Sam Gulube sees environmental issues such as access to water being a cause of armed conflict in developing countries in the future.

Other environmental issues that could lead to hostilities include deforestation, desertification and access to energy resources, he told this week’s Department of Defence/SA National Defence Force (SANDF) environment awards function in Thaba Tshwane, Pretoria.

Additionally, South Africa’s soldiers will be in the forefront if and when the effects of climate change turn into potential humanitarian disasters.
“The consequences of climate change pose some of the most serious threats to humanity today including an increase in the frequency and severity of floods, wild fires, hurricanes and cyclones. Prolonged droughts and increased desertification will cripple food production and increase famine. Over time, it will result in rising sea levels; threaten low-lying areas and certain island states. Tectonic events such as the recent minor earthquakes in North West province could result in major humanitarian disasters.
“As weather patterns become more erratic and natural disasters become more frequent the military would be expected to maintain a capacity to play a significant supportive role in addressing the consequences of such events,” he said.

The SANDF is an organisation where the environment matters and the concept of military integrated environmental management has been included and expanded on in the Defence Review.

Gulube said the important of the natural environment to any military was relevant in three areas.
“Firstly, there is a host of legal, economic, professional and ethical reasons to recognise and manage the environmental impact of the military footprint. Secondly, the military in carrying out its constitutional mandate faces extreme weather conditions, terrain or even prevailing biological hazards as fundamental challenges posed by the environment. Thirdly, in addressing non-military threats stemming from increased global environmental hazards; enhanced command of the battle space; prohibitions under international humanitarian law and protection of friendly forces in the field means the environment has assumed a central position in military strategy and tactics.”

Gulube singled out the maritime arm of service of the SANDF for winning three of the four major categories in the DoD annual environmental awards.
“This is an important accomplishment for the Navy that should be further improved. The SA Air Force won of major and two of the minor categories with the largest service, the Army, only winning one category,” he said adding the landward force’s poor performance and the absence of the SA Military Health Service was an indication they should “seriously take up the challenge posed by the other services”.