Swords as plowshares: The military's environmental role.

Abstract

This dissertation examines the conditions under which it is appropriate and likely for US military forces to become involved in helping to solve non-military environmental problems. I hypothesize that the unique tools and talents of the armed forces could prove useful in mitigating many significant environmental challenges. I begin by examining theory on the role of military forces. I conclude that there is theoretical support for broadening the definitions of the terms national security and threat to include an environmental security component. I turn to the question of when military forces should be used environmentally, developing some conclusions based on data from three sources: archival (budget data, congressional testimony, and laws and regulations), elite interviews, and case studies. Eleven "maxims" are developed that can serve as guides in environmental policy making. From these maxims, I craft a model that allows decision makers to consider a series of questions to determine whether military intervention is appropriate, and whether any such intervention is likely to be effective. The archival evidence traces the evolution in military environmental spending and interest. The interviews included White House and Congressional staff, interest groups, the media, and other activists. The case studies examine three military-environment interactions (the US Air Force Academy, Wurtsmith AFB, and Chernobyl). Each data source supports expanded military environmental action. Policy makers will make wiser evaluations of the utility of using the military in environmental situations by asking themselves the 11 questions in the decision-making mode developed in this dissertation. These questions include the need for high technology, the importance of great speed of response, the degree of public support, the quality of existing environmental management system, and the potential for danger to those responding to the environmental emergency. I conclude that the military can be an important environmental partner and that my model will help decision makers evaluate when the military will be most useful.