“Energy matters profoundly to U.S. national security and foreign policy,” U. S. National Security Advisor to the President, Tom Donilon said recently at the launch of Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
“We are in the midst of two changes that have presented themselves with great speed,” Mr. Donilon said. “First [is] the substantial increase in the supply of available, affordable energy inside the United States, which is having important impacts on U.S. economic growth, energy security and geopolitics."
Second, a transformation in the global climate, driven by the world’s use of energy, that is presenting not just a transcendent challenge for the world but a present-day national security threat to the United States. Both push us toward the same longer-term endpoint: the comprehensive transformation of the world’s energy economy toward cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions.”
“We are just beginning to understand and appreciate the geostrategic impacts of these changes to the U.S. and global energy landscape,” Mr. Donilon said.
“First and foremost, the United States is . . . pursuing an ‘all of the above approach’ to develop new sources of energy, expand oil and gas production, boost renewable power generation, support growth in nuclear power and increase energy efficiency, while also working to reduce reliance on imported oil.”
“Second, we are working to manage potential causes of energy-related conflict,” Mr. Donilon continued.
“Third, we are building on the unique diplomatic, regulatory and technical capacity of the United States to help other nations increase energy supply, build capacity and strengthen the institutions that enable international cooperation . . . [And] fourth . . . we are working with other nations to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for the climate impacts it is too late to avoid, and bring about a global conversion to cleaner sources of energy.”
“Energy and climate are critical elements of U.S. national security,” Mr. Donilon said in conclusion. “These issues have risen to the top of U.S. diplomatic agendas: with Europeans considering their energy future; with China and other emerging powers addressing their growing needs; and with major energy consumers and producers, old and new . . . We are moving the U.S. energy position from a liability we manage into an asset that secures U.S. strength at home and leadership in the world.”
“We are in the midst of two changes that have presented themselves with great speed,” Mr. Donilon said. “First [is] the substantial increase in the supply of available, affordable energy inside the United States, which is having important impacts on U.S. economic growth, energy security and geopolitics."
Second, a transformation in the global climate, driven by the world’s use of energy, that is presenting not just a transcendent challenge for the world but a present-day national security threat to the United States. Both push us toward the same longer-term endpoint: the comprehensive transformation of the world’s energy economy toward cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions.”
“We are just beginning to understand and appreciate the geostrategic impacts of these changes to the U.S. and global energy landscape,” Mr. Donilon said.
“First and foremost, the United States is . . . pursuing an ‘all of the above approach’ to develop new sources of energy, expand oil and gas production, boost renewable power generation, support growth in nuclear power and increase energy efficiency, while also working to reduce reliance on imported oil.”
“Second, we are working to manage potential causes of energy-related conflict,” Mr. Donilon continued.
“Third, we are building on the unique diplomatic, regulatory and technical capacity of the United States to help other nations increase energy supply, build capacity and strengthen the institutions that enable international cooperation . . . [And] fourth . . . we are working with other nations to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for the climate impacts it is too late to avoid, and bring about a global conversion to cleaner sources of energy.”
“Energy and climate are critical elements of U.S. national security,” Mr. Donilon said in conclusion. “These issues have risen to the top of U.S. diplomatic agendas: with Europeans considering their energy future; with China and other emerging powers addressing their growing needs; and with major energy consumers and producers, old and new . . . We are moving the U.S. energy position from a liability we manage into an asset that secures U.S. strength at home and leadership in the world.”
