Climate Preparedness Budget Cuts Undermine U.S. Military Lethality in Indo-Pacific (warontherocks.com)

• $1.2B in climate program cuts vs. $1.2B single-event repair cost at Offutt AFB.
• Guam breakwater repair ($600M) underscores Pacific infrastructure vulnerability.
• Four mitigations: data procurement, prioritization, nature-based solutions, burn exemption.

"The Trump administration's $1.2 billion cuts to climate preparedness programs are offset by a single event: the 2019 Missouri River flood cost $1.2 billion to repair Offutt Air Force Base. U.S. lethality in the Indo-Pacific depends on resilient bases, ports, and ranges. Cuts to studies, modeling, and adaptation projects directly reduce combat capability, especially with El Niño expected in summer 2026 and potential conflict with China by 2027."