Since just before the start of my school year, I’ve been researching how to weave the CLIMATE PROJECT into my courses, and I’ve been struck by how many natural connections exist -- including my thematic American History class American History Through War. Conflict and environment have always been linked, and finding those entry points allows me to bring climate discussions into the mainstream of what my school has already given permission to teach. I recently came across an article from March 2025 that left me stunned. The Pentagon announced it was canceling dozens of studies, including research on climate change impacts and global migration, framing the move as a way to save money. On paper, that might look efficient, but the reality is that climate-related disasters have already cost the military billions. Bases have been flooded, planes destroyed on the ground, and missions disrupted by extreme weather. Ignoring those realities doesn’t make them disappear, it simply leaves forces less prepared. For educators, this underscores why we can’t afford to sideline climate issues. If I can embed climate change into a course as focused as war history, then any subject can create space for it. That’s how we normalize the work of the CLIMATE PROJECT across classrooms. I’m sitting on a golden pillow in Selah, Washington- my district trusts me to choose curriculum based on my expertise. Are you in a position to make unilateral changes to your curriculum? Do you think you could modify your curriculum to add climate change issues?
This is focus in 2021-22: Preparing Army Installations to Combat Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events
This is the focus today: US military cancels climate change studies that Pentagon chief calls 'crap'
Quote from: Time Magazine
