National Security Threats From Fossil Fuels

Operation Free is a coalition of veterans and national security organizations that recognize climate change and energy dependency pose serious threats to US national security. We believe it is our duty to protect America by advocating for clean, domestic energy production.

America’s billion-dollar-a-day dependence on oil from hostile nations directly funds our most dangerous enemies, putting guns and bullets into the hands of our enemies. The Department of Defense has also stated that climate change poses a threat as well, destabilizing weak and failed states – the breeding grounds and safe havens for terrorist organizations like al Qaeda and the Taliban. With new, clean sources of energy to power our economy and fuel our military, we will no longer be forced to pay and protect regimes that support terrorism.

America’s national security leaders, including the Pentagon, the State Department, the National Intelligence Council, and the Central Intelligence Agency, are planning for the threats to national security posed by climate change. We believe it is time for our political leaders to join them at the front.

As Veterans, we call on Congress and the administration to enact strong climate and energy legislation and support US efforts to lead the world in a global response.

It is time for America to stand strong on its own – independent and in control of our energy future. Our leaders must face the threat of climate change, seize the opportunity to create the next generation of energy technology, free us from our dependence on fossil fuels, create millions of new jobs, and put America back in control.

“We will pay for this one way or another. We will pay to reduce greenhouse gas emissions today…or we will pay the price later in military terms. And that will involve human lives.” – General Anthony Zinni, Former Commander-in-Chief U.S. Central Command