Portsmouth Naval Shipyard works to become more resilient as climate changes
Department of Defense identifies climate change as threat to national security
Department of Defense identifies climate change as threat to national security
Department of Defense identifies climate change as threat to national security
The U.S. Department of Defense has called climate change one of the greatest threats to national security, and military facilities in New England and around the world are working to become more resilient.
Over the past several years, the Department of Defense has spent billions of dollars on repairs to bases and equipment caused by extreme weather events.
"Climate readiness equals mission readiness," said Russ Gagner, director of the infrastructure optimization program department at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. "They go hand in hand. They're not two separate items."
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has served an important role in the manufacturing and repairing of military submarines for more than 200 years. The shipyard sits on Seavey Island, a small plot of land between Kittery, Maine, and New Castle, New Hampshire.
While the island is sheltered, it has not been immune to New England storms, which have become more powerful and destructive. Researchers are continuing to study potential links between a warmer climate and stronger storms.
"Climate change is one of the most destabilizing forces, and it presents security threats to installations around the globe," said Commander Elizabeth Durika, a public works officer at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
Storm surge events, coupled with rising sea levels, are something the shipyard has already been preparing for.
"About 30% of our industrial waterfront has received sea level rise improvements in our Dry Dock 2 area," Gagner said. "By next year, probably summer or fall next year, that number will rise to about 50% of our waterfront."
Tidal flooding will also become more common and could cause loss of land and damage to important military infrastructure.
"We have a situation where our tides fluctuate significantly on a daily basis, twice a day, so that really only creates a scenario where our climate resiliency is at those peaking moments, twice a day during high tide," Gagner said.
A study conducted by the Union of Concerned Scientists projects that sea levels at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard will rise between 3.5 and 6 feet by the year 2100.
Across the nation, building more resilient bases and strengthening resources are critical efforts the military hopes to achieve in coming years, officials said. Harsher weather conditions also can be taxing on service members, as combat forces will have to adapt through more extensive training and implementing new techniques.
Officials at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard said the facility's resiliency projects will be adapted to meet certain challenges posed by rising water.
"We are also looking at a phased approach," said Jeffrey Hoyt, of the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command. "So, as we develop projects in the future, we'll have different strategies dependent upon where you are on the shipyard."
Officials said that if resilience plans at the shipyard and elsewhere are properly executed, the U.S. military will continue to be able to face future threats.