Climate Change and the U.S. Navy

On Thursday, Dec. 2, Rear Adm. David W. Titley, Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy and Commander of Task Force on Climate Change, will give a public lecture, “Climate Change and the U.S. Navy,” in the Big Blue Room of the Ted Constant Convocation Center as part of the Blue Planet Forum series. This series is sponsored by the ODU Office of Community Engagement, as well as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, NOAA and Nauticus. (Click here to RSVP – Event Code BPF10.)

“Titley has for several years been a leader of the service’s climate change assessment and adaptation planning. This is bringing port modifications in anticipation of sea level rise, not only at U.S. naval facilities, but also at bases shared with allies and partners overseas”, writes the ODU Office of Community Engagement.

From WhoRunsGov.com:

Titley guides the U.S. Navy’s long-term oceanographic and navigational capabilities. After unaccounted for environmental factors caused several military catastrophes in the 20th century, the Navy has placed an emphasis on integrating oceanographic factors such as winds, tides and sediment into its operations.

Stints commanding the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and advising senior policymakers prepared Titley to marry science with military planning and strategy.  As the Navy’s oceanographer, he advises the chief naval officer on future-oriented resources and policy.

In the Obama administration, Titley became a prominent voice in the military’s assessment of the security risks posed by climate change. After honing his skills working for strategist Andrew Marshall in the Defense secretary’s office, Titley now leads the Navy’s Task Force Climate Change. In fall 2009, the task force drafted an Arctic Roadmap outlining what it will take to maintain naval readiness as melting sea ice opens the far north to unprecedented levels of human activity.

The Thursday, Dec. 2nd program runs from 7:00-9:00pm at ODU’s Ted Constant Convocation Center, Big Blue Room, in Norfolk.  An RSVP is required and seating is limited.  The presentation will be followed by panel discussion moderated by HearSay‘s Cathy Lewis of WHRO/WHRV. For more info, call ODU at 757-683-3116.