Navy Ends Biden's Climate Action Plan, Focuses on Lethality

U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan has rescinded the Biden administration's 'Navy Climate Action 2030' program, shifting the Navy's focus from climate initiatives to enhancing military readiness and lethality. Phelan, emphasizing 'peace through strength,' stated that the Navy should be unimpeded by ideologically motivated regulations. The now-canceled climate plan, implemented under former Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for climate risks such as rising sea levels threatening key naval bases. The move reflects a broader trend of Republican administrations reversing climate-focused military policies, prioritizing warfighting capabilities over environmental concerns. Critics note that the climate plan was developed in response to scientific warnings about climate threats to military infrastructure, but the new leadership is prioritizing immediate operational effectiveness.